Photoactivated Polymeric Bilayer Actuators Fabricated via 3D Printing

Area of Science:

• Additive Manufacturing
• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• 4D printing is an advanced manufacturing technique building upon 3D printing by incorporating smart materials.
• These materials enable printed objects to alter their shape in response to external stimuli like heat, light, or moisture.
• Light-activated smart materials are particularly promising due to their wireless, remote activation and rapid response capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel method for fabricating 3D printed polymeric bilayer actuators.
• To demonstrate reversible shape change in these actuators upon light exposure.
• To evaluate the photomechanical properties of light-driven smart materials.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of polymeric bilayer actuators using 3D printing technology.
• Synthesis of two distinct photoactive polymers containing pendant azobenzene groups for the light-responsive layer.
• Evaluation of the photomechanical effect and actuation performance of the fabricated bilayers.

Main Results:

• The 3D printed bilayers successfully demonstrated reversible shape change when exposed to light.
• The photoactive polymers enabled rapid actuation, with complete shape change cycles occurring within seconds.
• The study measured significant photo-generated stresses in the range of 1.03 to 1.70 MPa.

Conclusions:

• A viable 3D printing method for creating light-responsive polymeric bilayer actuators has been established.
• The developed actuators exhibit fast and reversible shape transformations driven by light stimuli.
• These findings highlight the potential of azobenzene-containing polymers in advanced additive manufacturing for creating dynamic structures.