Shape-Morphing Liquid-Crystal Polymers.

Liquid-crystal polymers are a type of representative material combining the order-disorder transition of liquid crystals and the superior properties of polymers. The phase transition from the liquid-crystal phase to the isotropic state of mesogens causes large, controllable, and reversible deformation of polymers; thus, liquid-crystal polymers have emerged as one of the most valuable candidates for shape-morphing materials. Therefore, this review will focus on the recent development of shape-morphing liquid-crystal polymers, including the modes of energy conversions, material design strategies and further applications. In the main, novel material design methods and a wide range of application of shape-morphing liquid-crystal polymers are discussed.