Protruding organic surfaces triggered by in-plane electric fields

Title

Protruding organic surfaces triggered by in-plane electric fields

 Author

Liu, D. (TU Delft OLD ChemE/Organic Materials and Interfaces; South China Normal University)
Tito, Nicholas B. (Eindhoven University of Technology)
Broer, Dirk J. (Eindhoven University of Technology)

Date

2017-12-01

 Abstract

Coatings with a dynamic surface topography are of interest for applications in haptics, soft robotics, cell growth in biology, hydro- and air dynamics and tribology. Here we propose a design for creating oscillating surface topographies in thin liquid crystal polymer network coatings under an electric field. By applying an alternating electric field, the coating surface deforms, and pre-designed local corrugations appear. The continuous AC electric field further initiates oscillations superimposed on the formed topographies. This effect is based on microscopic free volume creation. By exciting the liquid crystal network at its resonance frequency, maximum free volume is generated and large surface topographies are formed. Molecular simulation is used to examine this behaviour in microscopic detail as a function of oscillation frequency. Surface topography formation is fast and reversible. Excess free volume is energetically unfavourable, thus the surface topographies disappear within seconds once the electric field is removed.


 To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:bbfcab2f-e30b-41ca-a95c-4a14df97ede6

 DOI

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-01448-w

 ISSN

2041-1723

 Source

Nature Communications, 8 (1), 1-6

 Part of collection

Institutional Repository

 Document type

journal article

 Rights

© 2017 D. Liu, Nicholas B. Tito, Dirk J. Broer
Files
PDF s41467_017_01448_w.pdf 1.36 MB
Close viewer