Visible light responsive soft actuator based on functional anthracene dye. (15th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saifi, Anas; Negi, Charu; Kumar, Kamlesh
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 171(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05-15
• Subjects: Soft actuators -- Anthracene -- Visible light -- Photodimerization -- Soft microgripper; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111176
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: A strong visible light responsive actuator consisting of novel blue light-responsive anthracene derivative dye and poly(vinyl alcohol) is fabricated. The molecular-level properties, mechanical properties, and photoinduced actuation of soft actuators are analyzed. Highlights: For the first time, a novel functional anthracene dye is synthesized and incorporated into solvent responsive polymer network. Functional anthracene dye enables the selective actuation of the polymer network in response to the blue light. Higher modulus of the responsive polymer network is achieved and a visible light responsive four arm microgripper is also demonstrated in the work. Abstract: Light-responsive soft actuators are highly demanded due to their increasing applications in soft robotics and biomimetic devices. However, for light-driven soft actuators, it is challenging to eliminate their reliance on UV light as well as it is required to address the issue of poor mechanical strength. Here, a supramolecular strategy is used for the synthesis of a functionalized anthracene dye which absorbs light in the visible region due to red-shift in the absorption band. This photoresponsive functionalized anthracene dye, mixed in the PVA matrix, has been used as a soft actuator acting as a microgripper to grasp, pick up, and transport cargo in response to the blue light. As a new finding, a two-fold increase in the bending angle deformation was achieved which is significantly greater than any other previously reported anthracene-based visible light-responsive soft actuator. This work broadens the horizon of the natural light-responsive soft actuators which may find applications in soft robotics, biomimetic grippers, surgical instruments, etc.