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Reversible Semicrystalline Polymer as Actuators Driven by Organic Solvent Vapor
Author(s) -
Hou Guohui,
Wang Fengle,
Qu Zhe,
Cheng Zhiqiang,
Zhang Yingchao,
Cai Shisheng,
Xie Tao,
Feng Xue
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201700716
Subject(s) - materials science , crystallinity , polymer , polyester , thermosetting polymer , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , crystallization of polymers , solvent , crystallization , swelling , isophorone diisocyanate , composite material , polyurethane , organic chemistry , chemistry , engineering
A semicrystalline polymer actuator, which is responsive to solvent vapor with fast and large scale locomotion, is described. The thermoset semicrystalline polymer can be easily synthesized from crystallizable polyester segment poly (ε‐caprolactone) and isophorone diisocyanate trimer. Organic solvent vapor is used to induce the reversible swelling‐crystallization conversion of the crystallizable polyester segment, resulting in its expansion/shrinkage. The contraction of the polymer actuator (1 mm thick) needs only ≈4 s in room temperature. When exposed to air the polymer actuator can exhibit a fast self‐oscillation. Then, a soft crawler based on this polymer is demonstrated. Driven by organic solvent it walks rapidly and steadily. The microscope images show the fast swelling‐crystallization conversion that gives rise to reversible shape changes of the polymer.