Synthesis and characterisation of azo-tolane based liquid crystal elastomer by click chemistry

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are fascinating materials with potential applications in various fields, such as sensors, actuators and soft robotics. Diacrylate-terminated compounds are important components of the click reaction to prepare main-chain liquid crystal elastomers and are known to react better than ene/amine/epoxy compounds in the thiol-Michael addition. In this work, synthesis and characterisation of an elastomer using azo-tolane diacrylate monomer via ‘click chemistry’ is described. Polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of a nematic phase. The photophysical properties, response to thermal and light stimuli, and load-withstanding ability of the elastomer are described.