Premium
A Fast, Reversible, and Robust Gradient Nanocomposite Hydrogel Actuator with Water‐Promoted Thermal Response
Author(s) -
Tan Yun,
Wang Di,
Xu Huaxiu,
Yang Yang,
An Wenli,
Yu Lina,
Xiao Zhixin,
Xu Shimei
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.201700863
Subject(s) - actuator , materials science , self healing hydrogels , nanocomposite , bending , artificial muscle , composite material , anisotropy , deformation (meteorology) , temperature gradient , shrinkage , chemical engineering , polymer chemistry , computer science , optics , physics , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , engineering
Poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide)/Laponite (PNIPAM/Laponite) gradient nanocomposite hydrogel actuators are developed as temperature‐controlled actuators with excellent performance using a facile electrophoresis method. The actuators exhibit a rapid (20 s response time) and reversible response, as well as large deformation (bending angle of 231°), which is due to the graded forces generated by the thermo‐induced anisotropic shrinkage and extension of the gradient hydrogels. A good linear relationship is observed between the maximum bending angles and the corresponding temperatures for the actuators with fixed sizes. Moreover, the gradient hydrogel with high water content achieved larger actuation angles and shorter response time than the one with low water content, showing an interesting water‐promoted effect. Meanwhile, different types of actuators are designed to suit for more specific scenarios, and may be used for various applications, such as biosensing, artificial organization, and transportation of targeted objects.