Photoresponsive liquid crystal polymer materials based on molecular motors
Photoresponsive liquid crystal polymer materials exhibit remarkable potential in smart materials, flexible electronics, and soft robotics due to their controllable deformation capabilities. However, achieving precise control of photoresponsive unit motion at the molecular scale and effectively amplifying it to the macroscopic level remains a major challenge in this field.
In her thesis, Guiying Long focuses on integrating molecular motors with liquid crystal polymers to realize programmable and complex deformations through the reversible rotary motion of light-driven molecular motors, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing photoresponsive materials. By embedding molecular motors into a highly ordered liquid crystal polymer network and combining photolithography, collective and synchronized motor motion is achieved, offering a new route for cross-scale amplification of molecular dynamics. Furthermore, by incorporating 3D printing technology, the study extends the construction of liquid crystal polymers from conventional two-dimensional films to three-dimensional object, exploring their potential in biomimetic actuation.
Meanwhile, decoupling the photochemical and photothermal effects during light-driven processes clarifies the underlying mechanisms of photoresponsive units. Through the design of molecular motors, the relationship between the molecular structure of photoresponsive units and the macroscopic performance of the material is systematically revealed, developing the system with multifunctional capabilities. This thesis provides new insights and theoretical foundations for the design of high-performance soft actuators and multifunctional photoresponsive materials.