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Synthesizing Organo/Hydrogel Hybrids with Diverse Programmable Patterns and Ultrafast Self‐Actuating Ability via a Site‐Specific “In Situ” Transformation Strategy
Author(s) -
Li Cong,
Feng Shiyu,
Li Caicong,
Sui Yuan,
Shen Jinghui,
Huang Chongyu,
Wu Yonggang,
Huang Weiguo
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.202002163
Subject(s) - materials science , self healing hydrogels , microscale chemistry , aminolysis , nanotechnology , in situ , smart material , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , chemistry , mathematics education , mathematics , engineering , catalysis
A simple yet robust strategy called “‘in situ' transformation” is developed to prepare organo/hydro binary gels based on the aminolysis of poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) (pPFPA). Treated with desired hydrophilic, oleophilic alkylamines, and their mixtures, pPFPA‐based organogels can be thoroughly transformed to targeted hydrogels, organogels, and even organohydrogels with outstanding mechanical properties. Further, relying on programed aminolysis procedures, site‐specific “in situ” transformation can be realized, giving rise to organo/hydro binary gels with diverse patterns and morphologies, such as macroscopic layered organo/hydrogel with a smooth‐transitioned yet mechanically robust interface, reconfigurable microscale organo/hydrogel hybrids with a high spatial‐resolution pattern capable of reversibly transforming between 2D sheets and 3D helixes with controlled chirality in different solvents, and core–shell structured organo/hydrogel hybrids with readily adjustable core/shell dimensions, tunable internal stress, and transparency. Finally, an oscillator based on a bilayered organo/hydrogel hybrid is developed. Attributing to the synergistic effect of organogel expansion and hydrogel contraction, as well as the robust interfacial mechanical properties, this oscillator is capable of ultrafast self‐actuating through harvesting surrounding chemical and thermal energy. This work provides new design principles and highly efficient synthetic strategy for organo/hydro binary gels, and expands their potential applications in soft robotics.