Combinational Hydrogel and Xerogel Actuators Showing NIR Manipulating Complex Actions. Issue 18 (11th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Shurui; Zhang, Yuancheng; Zhang, Chao; Wang, Tao; Sun, Weixiang; Tong, Zhen
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular rapid communications. Volume 40:Issue 18(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-07-11
• Subjects: combinational actuators -- near‐infrared response -- shape memory hydrogels -- xerogels; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/marc.201900270
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1022-1336

Abstract

Abstract: Near‐infrared (NIR)‐driven shape memory hydrogels are synthesized with a one‐pot polymerization of N, N ‐dimethylacrylamide in the inorganic clay and graphene oxide (GO) suspension. The hydrogel consists of only a physically crosslinked network, which is partially thermoreversible. With the efficient photothermal energy transformation of GO in the hydrogels, the shape recovery from the temporal shape is achieved by NIR irradiation. The optimal shape fixing percentage and recovery rate are found at moderate monomer and crosslinker contents. Meanwhile, the xerogel dried from the hydrogel also shows a fast NIR response shape change. The NIR manipulating combinational hydrogel–xerogel actuators are prepared by combining the wet and soft hydrogel and its dry and rigid xerogel together. The actuators achieve complex actions of turning and lifting under sequential NIR irradiation to carry an object up‐ and downward and around obstacles, or to transfer an object to a target position. This work provides a new idea for designing combinational actuators to fulfil complex actions. Abstract : The combinational hydrogel–xerogel actuator with the capability of near infrared (NIR)‐manipulated shape change is prepared by combining the wet and soft hydrogel and its dry and rigid xerogel. The actuator can carry an object rounding obstacles or transfer and release an object to a target position by programed sequential NIR irradiation.