Monodomain liquid crystal elastomers (m-LCEs) were synthesized from polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS), two distinct vinyl-functionalized mesogens (benzoate and azobenzene) and one crosslinking monomer, using the hydrosilylation reaction. Gold or amino-functionalized graphene oxide nanoparticles (NP) were in-situ incorporated into the m-LCEs, aiming to enhance their response to thermal and optical stimuli. All m-LCEs exhibited a degradation temperature of ∼310 °C and a mesomorphic behavior over a wide temperature range (clearing temperature around 100 °C). The inclusion of nanoparticles stiffened the m-LCEs, although they induced a highly randomized ordering of mesogens at the nematic to isotropic transition, resulting in a higher specimen contraction; a schematic model is proposed in this concern. The photo-actuation (bending) of the m-LCEs/NP composites resulted rather diminished as they became stiffer than the neat m-LCEs, although the increasing content of azobenzene units allowed higher bending angles that could be suitable for remote actuation applications.

使用氢化硅烷化反应，由聚甲基氢硅氧烷（PMHS），两种不同的乙烯基官能化液晶元（苯甲酸酯和偶氮苯）和一种交联单体合成了单畴液晶弹性体（m-LCE）。金或氨基官能化的氧化石墨烯纳米颗粒（NP）原位掺入m-LCE中，旨在增强其对热和光学刺激的响应。所有m-LCE的降解温度均为〜310°C，并在较宽的温度范围内（清除温度约为100°C）具有同构行为。纳米粒子的夹杂物使m-LCE硬化，尽管它们在向列向各向同性的转变中诱导了液晶元的高度随机排序，从而导致更高的标本收缩。为此提出了一个示意图模型。