Synthesis of Liquid Crystal Elastomer and Investigation of Its Optical, Thermal and Mechanical Properties

In the present study an attempt is made to characterize optical, thermal and mechanical properties ofLiquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) were using various techniques for understanding of their physical behavior. The material used for investigation was synthesized using Finklemann procedure, with proper cross linking density in nematic phase. The material is found to have unique coupling between anisotropic order of liquid crystal component and elasticity of polymer network. The chemical structures were confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Fabry Perot Scattering Studies (FPSS), Thermo gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimatory (DSC) were used to study optical and thermal properties. The mechanical properties were studied using force sensor. Our investigation shows that this synthesized LCE has ability of spontaneous change as a function of temperature and mechanical force, which shows it a unique class of soft material.

Author(s) Details

Dr. Santosh Mani
K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering, Vidyavihar (E), Mumbai 400 077, India and Department of Physics, University of Mumbai, Mumbai 400098, India.

Dr. Samriti Khosla
Department of Physics, DAV University, Jalandhar 144012, India.

Dr. Pradip Sarawade
Department of Physics, University of Mumbai, Mumbai 400098, India.

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