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Switchable Adhesion of Micropillar Adhesive on Rough Surfaces
1School of Power and Mechanical Engineering & The Institute of Technological Science, Wuhan University, South Donghu Road 8, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|November 15, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed a switchable adhesive using graphene and shape memory polymer. This bioinspired material offers strong, reversible adhesion on rough surfaces by controlling micropillar states with UV light.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomimetics
- Surface Science
Background:
- Switchable adhesion on rough surfaces is crucial for many applications.
- Existing adhesives struggle with variable surface topography.
- Bioinspiration from gecko setae and creeper roots offers novel solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a switchable fibrillar adhesive for versatile applications.
- To leverage photothermal effects for tunable adhesion.
- To create an adhesive with controllable adhesion states.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a polyurethane (PU) backed adhesive with graphene/shape memory polymer (GSMP) micropillars.
- Utilizing the photothermal effect of graphene under UV irradiation to alter GSMP viscoelasticity.
- Controlling adhesion states (robust vs. low) via UV irradiation during detachment.
Main Results:
- The PU-GSMP adhesive demonstrated switchable adhesion on rough surfaces.
- Achieved high adhesion strength (278 kPa), a high switching ratio (29), and rapid switching (10 s).
- GSMP micropillar phase state effectively modulated adhesion force and stress distribution.
Conclusions:
- The developed adhesive provides a design principle for bioinspired structured adhesives.
- Offers reversible adhesion capabilities suitable for diverse and rough surfaces.
- Highlights the potential of photothermal-responsive polymers in adhesion technology.
