A programmable and self-healable liquid crystal elastomer actuator was synthesized by integrating dynamic halogen bonds into an Aza–Michael addition-based elastomer network. The incorporation of halogen-bond-donating diiodotetrafluorobenzene molecules as dynamic supramolecular crosslinks into the LCEs allows for their mechanical programming and self-healing. Utilizing the halogen-bonded LCEs, we demonstrate proof-of-concept soft robotic motions such as crawling and rolling with programmed velocities. Our results showcase halogen bonding as a promising, yet unexplored tool for the preparation of smart supramolecular constructs for the development of advanced soft actuators. The article was published in Angewandte Chemie. Great and well deserved achievement of Hongshuang and others!
Self-healing
Crawling