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Droplets Manipulated on Photothermal Organogel Surfaces
Author(s) -
Gao Chunlei,
Wang Lei,
Lin Yucai,
Li Jitong,
Liu Yufang,
Li Xin,
Feng Shile,
Zheng Yongmei
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201803072
Subject(s) - materials science , marangoni effect , photothermal therapy , ethylene glycol , nanoparticle , photothermal effect , lubricant , wetting , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , hysteresis , composite material , surface tension , physics , engineering , quantum mechanics
A photoresponsive organogel surface (POS), which integrates characteristics of the photothermal property of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and the low hysteresis feature of lubricant‐infused organogels, is shown. A photothermally induced dynamic temperature gradient can be formed rapidly at the location of near‐infrared‐light irradiation (NIR) on POS with suitable Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles content. Thus, various droplets (e.g., water, glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and ethanol) can be transported effectively and nimbly (e.g., along desired trajectories with controllable velocity and direction, even run uphill and deliver solid particles). This work reveals a synergistic effect between the asymmetrical droplet deformation and the inside Marangoni flows, which forms a unique driving force for droplet transport with high efficiency. This finding offers insight into the design of novel responsive interface materials for droplet transportation, which would be significant for laboratory‐on‐a‐chip contexts, mass transportation, and microengines.