Reconfiguration, Welding, Reprogramming, and Complex Shape Transformation of An Optical Shape Memory Polymer Network...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Creating complex 3D shapes from 2D materials without molds is challenging.
• Integrating shape transformation, welding, and reprogramming into a single material is highly desirable but difficult.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile strategy for 2D-to-3D shape transformation with integrated welding, reconfiguration, and reprogramming capabilities.
• To utilize patterned secondary crosslinking of optical shape-memory polymers for advanced material functionalities.

Main Methods:

• A disulfide-containing diamine solution was used for patterned secondary crosslinking of an optical shape-memory polymer network.
• Dangling thiolectones on polymer backbones reacted with the diamine, enabling crosslinking in specific regions.
• Dynamic disulfide bonds allowed for thermal erasure of programming and subsequent reprogramming via crosslinking.

Main Results:

• The secondary crosslinking successfully welded 2D strips into assembled 3D shapes.
• Controlled suppression of polymer chain relaxation allowed for shape reconfiguration and complex 3D deformations.
• The material demonstrated shape reprogramming capabilities due to thermally activatable disulfide bonds.
• A photothermally controlled gripper was fabricated by combining welding and patterning, capable of grasping objects.

Conclusions:

• The developed strategy enables stimuli-triggered 3D shape generation and complex manipulation from 2D precursors.
• The material offers versatile functionalities including welding, shape reconfiguration, and reprogramming for advanced applications.
• This approach provides a pathway for fabricating functional 3D structures, such as robotic grippers, with precise control.