Synergistic Adhesion and Shape Deformation in Nanowire-Structured Liquid Crystal Elastomers.

ABSTRACT: Nature provides many examples of the benefits of nanoscopic surface structures in areas of adhesion and antifouling. Herein, the design, fabrication, and characterization of liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) films are presented with nanowire surface structures that exhibit tunable stimuli-responsive deformations and enhanced adhesion properties. The LCE films are shown to curl toward the side with the nanowires when stimulated by heat or organic solvent vapors. In contrast, when a droplet of the same solvent is placed on the film, it curls away from the nanowire side due to nanowire-induced capillary forces that cause unequal swelling. This characteristic curling deformation is shown to be reversible and can be optimized to match curved substrates, maximizing adhesive shear forces. By using c

SUBMITTER: Dupont RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11881676 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature