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4D Printed Protein-AuNR Nanocomposites with Photothermal Shape Recovery
Siwei Yu1, Naroa Sadaba2, Eva Sanchez-Rexach2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Advanced Functional Materials
|July 5, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed 4D printed bioplastics using protein nanocomposites and gold nanorods for photo-activated shape recovery. These biodegradable materials offer promising applications in shape-morphing devices for robotics and medicine.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- 4D printing enables the creation of objects that change shape over time in response to stimuli.
- Photothermally responsive materials offer remote activation capabilities for shape recovery.
- Previous research has not addressed 3D patterning of degradable shape memory materials with complex geometries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate 3D printed shape memory bioplastics with photo-activated shape recovery.
- To investigate the use of protein-based nanocomposites for vat photopolymerization.
- To explore the potential of these materials for biodegradable shape-morphing devices.
Main Methods:
- Development of protein-based nanocomposites using bovine serum albumin (BSA), poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate, and gold nanorods (AuNRs).
- Vat photopolymerization technique for 3D printing of complex geometries.
- Mechanical deformation for shape programming and near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation for shape recovery.
- Mechanical characterization and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of 3D printed bioplastics capable of photo-activated shape recovery.
- Achieved up to 99% shape recovery within 1 minute of NIR light irradiation.
- Proteins acted as mechanoactive elements, unfolding during shape programming to prevent fracture.
- Demonstrated maintenance of metastable shape-programmed state under ambient conditions.
Conclusions:
- The developed bioplastics are promising for creating biodegradable shape-morphing devices.
- The materials exhibit efficient and rapid shape recovery upon NIR light exposure.
- Protein unfolding and potential refolding mechanisms are key to the shape memory effect.
- Potential applications in advanced robotics and medical devices.
