Photomobile films based on liquid crystal polymer-carbon black composites

Abstract

Films based on a composite of a liquid crystal polymer (LC-POL) with acrylic backbone and carbon black (CB) were manufactured and characterized to develop a new smart material able to move under light. In detail, the effect of 0.1wt% of CB, a high absorption and thermal conductive filler, on morphological, optical and photomobile properties was investigated and compared with pristine LC-POL films. To study photomobile behaviuor the films were irradiated with 457nm-laser at different powers and the responses to these stimuli were compared in terms of bending angle and response time. The work shows that the presence of CB induces photomobile properties in an inactive LC polymer matrix and the mechanical response under light is fast and reversible.