Flexible, superhydrophobic and multifunctional carbon nanofiber hybrid membranes for high performance light driven actuators. Issue 27 (6th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Xin; Huang, Xuewu; Luo, Junchen; Long, Biao; Zhang, Weimiao; Wang, Ling; Gao, Jiefeng; Xue, Huaiguo
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 13:Issue 27(2021)
• Page Start: 12017
• Page End: 12027
• Publication Date: 2021-07-06
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/d1nr02254g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : A flexible CNF hybrid membrane was synthesized via electrospinning, then two step annealing, and finally dip coating. The superhydrophobic CNF membrane with excellent photo-thermal conversion is beneficial for controllable motion on the water. Abstract : Recently, a series of super-hydrophobic materials have been prepared and efforts have been made to further expand their applications, especially in electronics and smart actuators. However, it remains challenging to develop light weight, flexible and super-hydrophobic materials integrating multifunctionalities such as superior photothermal conversion, corrosion resistance, and controllable actuation. Herein, a superhydrophobic and multi-responsive carbon nanofiber (CNF) hybrid membrane with an outstanding photo-thermal effect is fabricated by electrospinning the mixture of polyacrylonitrile and nickel acetylacetonate, followed by two step heat treatment and subsequent fluorination. The superhydrophobic CNF hybrid membrane with outstanding anti-corrosion and self-cleaning performance can float on the water surface spontaneously, thus effectively reducing the motion resistance. The light driven actuation with controllable movement can be achieved by adjusting the laser irradiated location, in which the localized absorption of light is transformed into thermal energy, and hence an imbalanced surface tension is created. The multifunctional hybrid membrane also opens up an arena of applications such as freestanding flexible electronics, drug delivery, and environmental protection.