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Tetracarboxylated Azobenzene/Polymer Supramolecular Assemblies as High-Performance Multiresponsive Actuators
Chengqun Qin1, Yiyu Feng1,2,3, Haoran An1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University , Tianjin 300072, P. R China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|January 13, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a novel light-, humidity-, and temperature-responsive polymer film using supramolecular assembly. This material exhibits controllable bending and unbending movements, showing potential for advanced device applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Multistimuli-responsive polymers are of significant interest but present synthetic challenges.
- Supramolecular assembly offers a facile route to complex polymer architectures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct and characterize a novel supramolecular polymer film responsive to multiple stimuli.
- To investigate the potential of this film in device applications.
Main Methods:
- Supramolecular assembly of 3,3',5,5'-azobenzenetetracarboxylic acid (H4abtc) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC).
- Fabrication of a free-standing H4abtc/PDAC film.
- Evaluation of the film's response to light, humidity, and temperature.
Main Results:
- The H4abtc/PDAC film demonstrated reversible bending and unbending movements upon exposure to light, humidity, or temperature changes.
- Asymmetric structural transformations induced differential contraction/stretching forces, driving the shape changes.
- Fast shape recovery rates were observed, particularly with humid nitrogen flow.
Conclusions:
- The fabricated supramolecular film exhibits controllable, reversible, and repeatable light-, humido-, and thermo-responsiveness.
- This material holds significant potential for advanced functional device applications.
