# Fileset

[PPC-1057.doc](https://mdr.nims.go.jp/filesets/2b9d9162-c141-4643-af25-37255b94c41e/download)

## Creator

[Masafumi Yoshio](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1442-4352)

## Rights

[In Copyright](http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/)

## Other metadata

[Ionic Nanochannel Engineering within Liquid-Crystalline Polymers for Enhanced Electromechanical Soft Actuators](https://mdr.nims.go.jp/datasets/015bfdf4-1f46-4b6c-bfb9-f4604867edbc)

## Fulltext

Ionic Nanochannel Engineering within Liquid-Crystalline Polymersfor Enhanced Electromechanical Soft ActuatorsMasafumi Yoshio1, 21Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science, Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan2Japan Science and Technology Agency, PRESTO, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan1E-mail: yoshio.masafumi@nims.go.jpEfforts to refine ion transport pathways in both organic and inorganic thin films have become key strategies for improving the energy efficiency of electrochemical devices. In this context, our research presents an innovative design framework for polymer electrolytes. By leveraging liquid crystal self-assembly, we engineer continuous nanochannels with exceptional long-range order (1). This approach has the potential to revolutionize high-performance electromechanical soft polymer actuators (2, 3), driving advancements in soft robotics and haptic interfaces.A critical breakthrough in our work is the development of alignment-free 3D periodic micellar cubic and hexagonal columnar structures, where ionic shells encapsulate lipophilic cores within polymer electrolytes. These structures enhance both ion transport efficiency and mechanical modulus.Micellar CubicLiquid Crystal++---+3D Ion TransportHigh Force High Bending Strain‒2V +2VHigh Elasticity4gM icellar Cub icLiq uid  Crystal++---+3 D Ion Transp ortH ig h Force H ig h Bend ing  Strain‒2 V + 2 VH ig h Elasticity4 gWe successfully fabricated mechanically robust and highly ion-conductive micellar cubic polymer films with Pm3n symmetry through the self-assembly of a wedge-shaped vinyl imidazolium salt and an ionic liquid, followed by in situ photopolymerization (Fig. 1) (2f). The resulting 300 µm-thick trilayer films, consisting of a cubic polymer electrolyte sandwiched between poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) electrodes, demonstrate remarkable actuation performance, making them well-suited for gripper robot applications. These film actuators can support a substantial 4 g load with a high blocking force under a DC voltage of 2 V, achieve significant bending strain, and operate at response frequencies of up to 70 Hz.Additionally, we developed a simple actuator fabrication method by embedding novel lithium-ion conductive organophosphate-based columnar liquid crystals into a porous polyethylene membrane, achieving an ionic conductivity of 10–4 S cm–1 at room temperature (Fig. 2) (3d). When sandwiched between PEDOT:PSS electrodes, the resulting device demonstrates exceptional actuation performance and durability.These findings highlight the potential of 3D ion-conductive LC electrolytes in advancing actuator technologies for soft robotics and tactile interfaces.1) T. Kato et al., Nat. Mater. Rev., 2017, 2, 17001.2) M. Yoshio et al., a) ACS Mater. Lett., 2022, 4, 153–158; b) ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2022, 14, 43701–43710; c) ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2023, 15, 4495–4504; d) Mater. Chem. Front., 2023, 7, 2828–2838; e) J. Mater. Chem. C, 2023, 11, 10154–10162; f) Adv. Funct. Mater. 2024, 34, 2314087.3) M. Yoshio et al., a) ACS Mater. Au, 2022, 2, 686–689; b) Adv. Funct. Mater., 2023, 33, 2300538; c) ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2024, 16, 27750–27760; d) Sci. Tech. Adv. Mater., 2025, 26, 247538.Fig. 1 Ionic electromechanical soft polymer actuator based on a photocured micellar cubic ionic liquid crystal.Fig. 2 3D lithium-ion conductive composite electrolytes for ionic electroactive actuators, prepared by infiltrating phosphate-based columnar liquid crystals into a porous polyethylene membrane (mean pore diameter: 150 nm, porosity: 40%).