Molecular alignment, large surface deformations and hysteresis effects in polydomain LC polymer films under an in-plane DC electric field

The response of multidomain liquid crystal polymer films to prolonged exposure to an in-plane DC electric field is investigated. Non-crosslinked polymers show a rotation of the mesogenic units along the field lines, but the rotation is asymmetric between the positive and negative electrodes. Crosslinked films respond by undergoing large surface deformations, with deformation profiles that correspond with the observed alignment profiles in non-crosslinked films, including asymmetry. Additionally, a strong hysteresis effect is observed, where subsequent exposures to the field lead to stronger and faster deformations.