Function block combination in light-driven cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer actuator

Nematic liquid crystal elastomers (NLCEs) have excellent mechanical properties and varied deformation modes. Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) as a photonic crystal (PC) have excellent optical performance and intelligent response characteristics. Combining the two elastomers with their respective advantages into a monolithic material is a worthwhile challenge and promising. Here, we designed and synthesized a new diselenide bonded molecule (named DSeAc), whose lower bond energy between two selenium atoms endows it with an excellent bond exchange ability. Therefore, two matrixes of LCEs containing DSeAc molecules can achieve seamless bonding under a milder conditions by the bond exchange of the dynamic diselenide bond. Combining a CLCE film and an NLCE actuator into a monolithic film enables the integration of two functional components, whose functional characteristics can be tailored as required. This function block combination strategy is a promising pathway for developing smart materials with complex functions, which show great potential in information storage, anti-counterfeiting and biomimetics.