Polysiloxane Side-Chain Azobenzene-Containing Liquid Single Crystal Elastomers for Photo-Active Artificial

Abstract

Liquid crystals (LCs) are unique materials with amazing properties and uses. Since their discovery in 1889 by F. Reinitzer1, they have experienced an explosive growth because of their successful application in a wide variety of areas such as information displays2, cosmetics and health care3, thermography4-5, artificial muscle-like actuators6-7 and enantioselective synthesis8, among others. Thus, liquid crystals play an important role in modern technology and they are present in the most common devices used in our daily live. Research into this field is growing day by day and new promising applications for such materials are discovered and developed continuously...