A process is outlined in which an existing liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) can be reprocessed from an insulating network to create an effectively conducting network. This is performed through the LCE volume expansion in a suitable solution containing conducting nanoparticles. Subsequent volume compression results in the formation of a conducting layer at the LCE surfaces. The swelling behaviour of the LCE is illustrated. Elemental composition analysis and electron imagining techniques show that the conducting layer is composed of conducting nanoparticles and LCE material. It was found that the integrated layer thickness and resistivity can be controlled through the LCE surface expansion ratio and conducting nanoparticle concentration, respectively.
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