writer：Wang, M.; Chu, D.; Liu, L.; Huang, S.; Chen, X.; Liu, Z.; Yang, H.*
keywords：Intelligent Surface
source：期刊
specific source：Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2021, 39, 1609-1616.
Issue time：2021年

Reversible switching from a highly rough surface to another entirely smooth surface under external stimuli is crucial for intelligent

materials applied in the fields of anti-fogging, self-cleaning, oil-water separation and biotechnology. In this work, a thermal-responsive liquid

crystal elastomer (LCE) surface covered with oriented micropillars is prepared via a facile two-step crosslinking method coupled with an extrusion

molding program. The reversible change of topological structures of the LCE surface along with temperature is investigated by metallographic

microscope, atomic force microscopy and optical contact angle measuring system. At room temperature, the LCE sample is filled with plenty of

micropillars with an average length of 8.76 μm, resulting in a super-hydrophobic surface with a water contact angle (WCA) of 135°. When the

temperature is increased to above the clearing point, all the micropillars disappear, the LCE surface becomes entirely flat and presents a

hydrophilic state with a WCA of 64°. The roughness-related wetting property of this microstructured LCE surface possesses good recyclability in

several heating/cooling cycles. This work realizes a truly reversible transformation from a highly rough surface to an entirely smooth surface, and

might promote the potential applications of this dynamic-responsive LCE surface in smart sensors and biomimetic control devices.