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Photoswitchable and Solvent-Controlled Directional Actuators: Supramolecular Assembly and Crosslinked Polymers
Yi-Fan Chen1, Chia-Ling Hsieh1, Lin-Ruei Lee1
1Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30010, Taiwan.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|October 8, 2022
Summary
New polymer actuators respond to both light and solvents for programmable shape changes. These reversible actuators demonstrate high reproducibility and fast responses, expanding possibilities for smart materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Untethered small actuators are highly sought after for their reversibility and flexibility.
- Existing polymer actuators often struggle with programmable responses to multiple stimuli due to material limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop multi-stimuli-responsive polymer actuators capable of structural changes triggered by light and solvents.
- To investigate the mechanism of photoisomerization and solvent-induced swelling for actuator control.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of bilayer films using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and azobenzene chromophore (AAZO)-crosslinked poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC).
- Utilizing UV light irradiation to induce trans-cis-trans photoisomerization in AAZO for reversible bending.
- Employing solvent vapor annealing to selectively swell PDAC films, controlling bending direction.
Main Results:
- UV light irradiation caused reversible bending due to AAZO photoisomerization, with shape recovery upon light removal (over 20 cycles).
- Solvent vapor annealing induced bending with directionality controlled by the specific solvent used.
- Analysis revealed that AAZO weight ratios and film thickness influence bending angles and curvature.
Conclusions:
- Successfully developed multi-stimuli-responsive polymer actuators with light and solvent sensitivity.
- Demonstrated fast response times and high reproducibility, paving the way for advanced smart materials.
