A high-efficiency actuator with great photoinduced force based on a bioinspired gradient design. Issue 23 (6th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Mingxia; Xu, Zhao; Lv, Yimei; Zhu, Shu; Liu, Weiping; Yang, Lili; Ge, Dengteng
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 10:Issue 23(2022)
• Page Start: 8931
• Page End: 8937
• Publication Date: 2022-06-06
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d2tc01601j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7526

Abstract

Abstract : Inspired by natural gradient functional materials, a gradient design of a photothermal component is developed to achieve a high-accuracy actuator with great photoinduced force. Abstract : Owing to the remote activation, spatiotemporal control and local response, photo-driven actuators have attracted great attention in diverse potential applications. However, actuators always suffer from weak deformation force or low-efficiency deformation. Inspired by natural gradient functional materials, a gradient design of a photothermal component is developed to achieve a high-efficiency actuator with great photoinduced force. Based on theoretical calculations of silver nanowires (AgNWs) in poly(ethylene- co -vinyl acetate) (EVA) elastomers, a uniform temperature distribution is achieved under irradiation. The high efficiency of this actuator with a recovery rate of ∼97% is attributed to the very little thermal stress. This inspired gradient strategy can be a versatile and effective route to the design of light-driven smart materials for broader applications with higher efficiency and better durability.