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Light‐Coded Digital Crystallinity Patterns Toward Bioinspired 4D Transformation of Shape‐Memory Polymers
Author(s) -
Peng Wenjun,
Zhang Guogao,
Liu Jian,
Nie Shuang,
Wu Yi,
Deng Shihong,
Fang Guangqiang,
Zhou Jian,
Song Jizhou,
Qian Jin,
Pan Pengju,
Zhao Qian,
Xie Tao
Publication year - 2020
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.202000522
Subject(s) - morphing , crystallinity , materials science , shape memory polymer , evolvability , transformation (genetics) , smart material , nanotechnology , polymer , shape memory alloy , biological system , computer science , composite material , artificial intelligence , biochemistry , chemistry , gene , evolutionary biology , biology
Spatially heterogeneous distribution of active components is key to the diverse shape‐morphing behaviors of biological species and their associated functions. Artificial morphing materials employing similar strategies have widened the design space for advanced functional devices. Typically, the spatial heterogeneity is introduced during the material synthesis/fabrication step and cannot be altered afterward. An approach that allows spatio‐selective programming of crystallinity in a shape‐memory polymer (SMP) by a digital photothermal effect is reported. The light‐patternable crystallinity affects greatly the shape morphing behavior. Consequently, a pre‐stretched 2D film with spatial heterogeneity in crystallinity can morph with time into designable 3D permanent shapes, achieving the 4D transformation. This approach utilizes a reprocessible thermoplastic SMP (polylactide) and the programming relies on a physical phase transformation (crystallization) instead of chemical heterogeneity. This allows repeated erasing and reprogramming using the same material, suggesting a versatile and sustainable means for manufacturing advanced morphing devices.