Cluster-Triggered Self-Luminescence, Rapid Self-Healing and Adaptive Reprogramming Liquid Crystal Elastomers Enabled by Dynamic Imine Bond.

The integration of advanced functions and diverse practical applications calls for multifunctional liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs); however, the structure-intrinsic luminescence and excellent mechanical properties of LCEs have not yet been explored. In this study, clusteroluminescence (CL)-based LCEs (CL-LCEs) were successfully fabricated without depending on large conjugated structures, thereby avoiding redundant organic synthesis and aggregation-caused quenching. The experimental and theoretical results revealed that secondary amine (-NH-) and imine (-C = N-) groups play vital roles in determining the presence of fluorescence in CL-LCEs. Based on the above observation, the strategy universalization and a molecular library for constructing CL-LCEs were further demonstrated. Meanwhile, the dynamic bond of imine bonds endows the CL-LCE system with rapid self-healing under mild conditions (70 °C in 10 min), excellent stretchability, and adaptive programmable characteristics. Furthermore, the self-luminescent performance enables visual detection of the self-healing process. Finally, CL-based information storage and anticounterfeiting were successfully realized and their applications in fiber actuators and fluorescent textiles were demonstrated. The distinctive luminescence and dynamic chemistry presented in this work has significant implications in elucidating the mechanism of CL and providing new strategies for the rational design of novel multifunctional LCE materials. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.