Abstract

Azobenzene doped liquid crystal network (LCN) polymers are being well studied for their potential in many applications such as light activated organic actuators, memory materials, and as surfaces capable of complex topographical texture changes. A novel application is explored with azobenzene doped LCN materials being used as a self-healing protective polymer layer capable of healing surface compression damage which alters its original topography. Preliminary studies showed that LCN materials are very capable of healing indentations caused by compression damage. This work delves into understanding how this material can be altered in the manufacturing process to improve its surface healing capabilities. Multiple LCN polymer film compositions are developed to observe how factors such as crosslinking, polymerization temperature, and photoactive azobenzene concentration impacts the materials healing performance along with an understanding of how these changes influence the manufacturing process itself. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is used to better understand the changes which occur in the material due to these variables in their manufacturing by measuring properties such as storage modulus and tan(delta) values. The healing performance of each of these different recipes is then compared to film stiffness in terms of their storage modulus their storage modulus. An inverse relationship between the material’s storage modulus and its healing performance is found. Furthermore, an increase in photoactive azobenzene mole fraction is shown to also have a positive influence on healing performance, despite having a potentially larger storage modulus.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Polymer liquid crystals--Mechanical properties; Azo compounds

Publication Date

12-22-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Materials Science and Engineering (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Chemistry and Materials Science, School of

College

College of Science

Advisor

Christopher Collison

Advisor/Committee Member

Nathan Eddingsaas

Advisor/Committee Member

Christopher Lewis

Comments

This thesis has been embargoed. The full-text will be available on or around 12/22/2024.

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

MSENG-MS

Download

Available for download on Sunday, December 22, 2024

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