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Programmable, reversible and repeatable wrinkling of shape memory polymer thin films on elastomeric substrates for
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA. jianliang.xiao@colorado.edu.
Soft Matter
|July 11, 2017
Summary
Researchers demonstrate programmable surface wrinkling on polymer films using heat-responsive shape memory polymers (SMPs) on silicone substrates. This controllable surface morphology enables tunable adhesion for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Surface Engineering
Background:
- Shape memory polymers (SMPs) exhibit reversible shape changes in response to thermal stimuli.
- Wrinkling instability in thin films is a known phenomenon, often studied in polymer bilayers.
- Controlling surface morphology is crucial for applications like tunable adhesion and micro-optics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To achieve programmable, reversible, and repeatable surface wrinkling of SMP thin films on elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates.
- To investigate the relationship between wrinkling characteristics (wavelength, amplitude) and material/processing parameters.
- To demonstrate the application of this wrinkling phenomenon for creating smart, tunable surface adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the heat-responsive shape memory effect of SMPs to induce wrinkling.
- Fabricating bilayer systems of SMP thin films on PDMS substrates.
- Applying controlled programming strains and thermal cycles to control wrinkling.
- Analyzing wrinkle wavelength and amplitude using established nonlinear buckling theory.
Main Results:
- Successfully realized programmable, reversible, and repeatable wrinkling of SMP films on PDMS.
- Wrinkle characteristics were found to agree with nonlinear buckling theory predictions based on program strain and film thickness.
- The wrinkling process was demonstrated to be reversible (flat state recovery) and repeatable with variable surface morphologies.
- Achieved smart, programmable surface adhesion with a broad tuning range.
Conclusions:
- The heat-induced shape memory effect in SMPs provides a robust method for creating controllable surface topographies.
- The developed wrinkling technique offers a versatile platform for tunable surface adhesion.
- This approach has potential for applications requiring adaptive surface properties and smart adhesives.
