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Aggregation‐Induced Emissive Carbon Dots Gels for Octopus‐Inspired Shape/Color Synergistically Adjustable Actuators
Author(s) -
Wu Shuangshuang,
Shi Huihui,
Lu Wei,
Wei Shuxin,
Shang Hui,
Liu Hao,
Si Muqing,
Le Xiaoxia,
Yin Guangqiang,
Theato Patrick,
Chen Tao
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.202107281
Subject(s) - soft robotics , conformable matrix , actuator , materials science , artificial intelligence , bilayer , octopus (software) , nanotechnology , elastomer , artificial muscle , structural coloration , biological system , computer science , chemistry , membrane , optoelectronics , composite material , biochemistry , computational chemistry , photonic crystal , biology
Some living organisms such as the octopus have fantastic abilities to simultaneously swim away and alter body color/morphology for disguise and self‐protection, especially when there is a threat perception. However, it is still quite challenging to construct artificial soft actuators with octopus‐like synergistic shape/color change and directional locomotion behaviors, but such systems could enhance the functions of soft robotics dramatically. Herein, we proposed to utilize unique hydrophobic carbon dots (CDs) with rotatable surficial groups to construct the aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) active glycol CDs polymer gel, which could be further employed to be interfacially bonded to an elastomer to produce anisotropic bilayer soft actuator. When putting the actuator on a water surface, glycol spontaneously diffused out from the gel layer to allow water intake, resulting in a color change from a blue dispersion fluorescence to red AIE and a shape deformation, as well as a large surface tension gradient that can promote its autonomous locomotion. Based on these findings, artificial soft swimming robots with octopus‐like synergistic shape/color change and directional swimming motion were demonstrated. This study provides an elegant strategy to develop advanced multi‐functional bio‐inspired intelligent soft robotics.