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Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers and Characterization of Their Diffusive Motion in the Melt State at the Single Molecule Level
Published on: September 26, 2016
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Photomotility of polymers
Jeong Jae Wie1,2,3, M Ravi Shankar4, Timothy J White1
1Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials &Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433-7750, USA.
Nature Communications
|November 11, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed photoinduced motion (photomotility) in azobenzene-functionalized liquid crystalline polymer networks. These light-responsive polymer films transform into spiral ribbons and move autonomously on surfaces when irradiated with UV-Vis light.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Optics
Background:
- Light offers unique contactless energy transfer properties for microscale devices.
- Transducing photonic stimuli into macroscopic material deformation has been explored for decades.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate photoinduced motion (photomotility) in novel polymer films.
- To explore the potential of azobenzene-functionalized liquid crystalline polymer networks (azo-LCNs) for light-driven actuation.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of monolithic polymer films from azo-LCNs with a twisted-nematic orientation.
- Irradiation of films with broad spectrum ultraviolet-visible light (320-500 nm).
- Observation and analysis of the resulting film transformation and motion.
Main Results:
- Films transformed from flat sheets into spiral ribbons upon light irradiation.
- The spiral ribbons exhibited autonomous translation over large distances on surfaces.
- Directional control and climbing capabilities of the photomotile ribbons were demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Azobenzene-functionalized liquid crystalline polymer networks exhibit significant photoinduced motion.
- The observed photomotility arises from a complex interplay of photochemistry and mechanics.
- These findings open avenues for light-actuated soft robotics and micro-devices.
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