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NIR-vis-UV Light-Responsive High Stress-Generating Polymer Actuators with a Reduced Creep Rate
Xinglong Pan1, Rob C P Verpaalen1, Huiyi Zhang2
1Laboratory of Stimuli-Responsive Functional Materials & Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612 AZ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|May 3, 2021
Summary
New light-responsive actuators made from polyethylene films generate high stress and respond quickly to UV, visible, and infrared light. These stable, transparent actuators are promising for soft robotics applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Soft Robotics
Background:
- Developing light-responsive actuators from common polymers for soft robotics is challenging.
- Existing actuators often lack stability or responsiveness to a wide range of light wavelengths.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create transparent, high-stress-generating actuators using ultradrawn ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) films.
- To investigate the effect of graphene and light-absorbing dyes on actuator performance.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of composite films with varying draw ratios (30, 70, 100) incorporating graphene and dyes.
- Testing actuator response to ultraviolet (365 nm), visible (455 nm), and near-infrared (780 nm) light.
- Measuring photoinduced stress and response time.
Main Results:
- Composite actuators exhibited rapid response times (t0.9 < 0.8 s) across multiple light wavelengths.
- A maximum photoinduced stress of 35 MPa was achieved at a draw ratio of 70 under near-infrared light.
- Photoinduced stress showed a linear correlation with light intensity, indicating light-to-thermal energy conversion.
Conclusions:
- Ultradrawn UHMWPE films with graphene and dyes form effective, stable, light-responsive actuators.
- These actuators demonstrate significant potential for advanced soft robotics and light-driven mechanical systems.
- Additives improved film stability by reducing plastic creep rate.
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