In this review, we focus on the latest progress in the field of electrically driven crosslinked liquid crystal polymers (CLCPs). The newly developed electrically driven CLCP systems based on different response mechanisms are discussed, and applications are specifically presented. In addition, the current challenges in the field of electrically driven CLCPs are summarized, and a brief outlook on future development is proposed.

Comprehensive Summary

Crosslinked liquid crystal polymers (CLCPs) are smart materials that combine the anisotropy of liquid crystals (LCs) with the elasticity of rubber. When subjected to external stimuli, they exhibit exceptional two-way shape memory behavior. Among the various stimuli, electrical energy has the advantages of cleanliness, stability, and high controllability; hence, it is widely used for controlling CLCP-based soft actuators, thus presenting potential for application in diverse, complex scenarios. By combining electrically driven mode and sensor equipment, precise control of CLCPs can be achieved, and the electrically driven CLCPs can accomplish more intricate and sophisticated tasks. This study presents a comprehensive review of electrically driven CLCPs with various driving mechanisms, including the electroclinic effect of ferroelectric CLCPs, the reorganization of LC molecules, the Maxwell effect of dielectric CLCPs, and the Joule heating effect of electrothermally responsive CLCP systems. In addition, a detailed analysis of the applications of electrically driven CLCPs in various research fields is presented. Finally, the current challenges in the field of electrically driven CLCP technology are summarized, along with predictions for future prospects.