Two‐Way Shape Memory Liquid Crystal Elastomers Based on In Situ Formed Triazole Liquid Crystal Units

ABSTRACT The realization of two‐way shape memory polymers through phase transformation of liquid crystal structures is a hot research direction, but most of the current feasible schemes rely on the conjugated structure of benzene ring to form liquid crystal units. A new method of forming liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) by conjugation of triazole ring and benzene ring is reported in this paper. The triazole ring in the liquid crystal is formed in situ by the cycloaddition of azide and phenylacetylene, which is very different from the previous method. The prepared LCE splines have good two‐way shape memory performance and retain memory function after five shape memory cycles. LCE can be prepared by using different flexible chains through in situ reaction, which enriches the structure of shape memory LCE and increases the possible application of shape memory materials.