This paper reports large light-induced reversible and elastic responses of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) polymer composites. Homogeneous mixtures of GNP/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites (0.1-5 wt%) were prepared and their infrared (IR) mechanical responses studied with increasing pre-strains. Using IR illumination, a photomechanically induced change in stress of four orders of magnitude as compared to pristine PDMS polymer was measured. The actuation responses of the graphene polymer composites depended on the applied pre-strains. At low levels of pre-strain (3-9%) the actuators showed reversible expansion while at high levels (15-40%) the actuators exhibited reversible contraction. The GNP/PDMS composites exhibited higher actuation stresses compared to other forms of nanostructured carbon/PDMS composites, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), for the same fabrication method. An extraordinary optical-to-mechanical energy conversion factor (η(M)) of 7-9 MPa W(-1) for GNP-based polymer composite actuators is reported.

The addition of nanomaterials to polymers can result not only in significant material property improvements, but also assist in creating entirely new composite functionalities. By dispersing graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) within a polydimethylsiloxane matrix, we show that efficient light absorption by GNPs and subsequent energy transduction to the polymeric chains can be used to controllably produce significant amounts of motion through entropic elasticity of the pre-strained composite. Using dual actuators, a two-axis sub-micron resolution stage was developed, and allowed for two-axis photo-thermal positioning (~100 μm per axis) with 120 nm resolution (feedback sensor limitation), and ~5 μm/s actuation speeds. A PID control loop automatically stabilizes the stage against thermal drift, as well as random thermal-induced position fluctuations (up to the bandwidth of the feedback and position sensor). Maximum actuator efficiency values of ~0.03% were measured, approximately 1000 times greater than recently reported for light-driven polymer systems.

We report load transfer and mechanical properties of chemically derived single layer graphene (SLG) as reinforcements in poly (dimethyl) siloxane (PDMS) composites. Mixing single layer graphene in polymers resulted in the marked decrease of the G’ or 2D band intensity due to doping and functionalization. A Raman G mode shift of 11.2 cm−1/% strain in compression and 4.2 cm−1/% strain in tension is reported. An increase in elastic modulus of PDMS by ~42%, toughness by ~39%, damping capability by ~673%, and strain energy density of ~43% by the addition of 1 wt. % SLG in PDMS is reported.

No abstract

We review the current state of the art in photomechanical actuation of carbon nanotubes and their composites. The article presents key points in the photomechanical responses of carbon nanotubes and show how orientation, alignment and anisotropic optical properties of carbon nanotubes influence photomechanical actuation. The current state of the field of carbon-nanotube polymer photomechanical actuators is presented. The photomechanical responses of nanotube-polymer systems depend on the structure of the actuator, nanotube alignment, entanglement and the presence of pre-strains in the sample. While the mechanism of photomechanical actuation is not fully understood, we discuss some possible mechanisms that contribute to the overall photomechanical responses of carbon nanotubes and their polymer composites. It is expected that the interplay between elastic, electrostatic, polaronic and thermal interactions give rise to the overall photomechanical responses of carbon nanotubes. We also discuss some insights into how the photo-mechanical responses of the carbon nanotubes and their polymers may be coupled to the band structure of carbon nanotubes. Finally, we review the applications of photomechanical actuation of carbon nanotube in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and nanotechnology.

Our work introduces a class of stimuli-responsive expanding polymer composites with ability to unidirectionally transform physical dimensions, elastic modulus, density, and electrical resistance. Carbon nanotubes and core-shell acrylic microspheres were dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane, resulting in composites that exhibit a binary set of material properties. Upon thermal or infrared stimuli, liquid cores encapsulated within the microspheres vaporize, expanding the surrounding shells and stretching the matrix. Microsphere expansion results in visible dimensional changes, regions of reduced polymeric chain mobility, nanotube tensioning, and overall elastic to plastic-like transformation of the composite. Here we show composite transformations including macroscopic volume expansion (>500%), density reduction (>80%), and elastic modulus increase (>675%). Additionally, conductive nanotubes allow for remote expansion monitoring and exhibit distinct loading-dependent electrical responses. With ability to pattern regions of tailorable expansion, strength, and electrical resistance into a single polymer skin, these composites present opportunities as structural and electrical building blocks in smart systems.

No abstract

Although smart bio-glues have been well documented, the development of internal bio-glues for non-invasive or minimally invasive surgery is still met with profound challenges such as safety risk and the lack of deep tissue penetration stimuli for internal usage. Herein, a series of smart internal bio-glues are developed via the integration of o-nitrobenzene modified biopolymers with up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). Upon irradiation by near-infrared (NIR) light, the prepared smart bio-glues can undergo a gelation process, which may further induce strong adhesion between tissues under both dry and wet conditions based on multi-interactions. Moreover, those NIR light-responsive bio-glues with deeper tissue penetration ability demonstrate good biocompatibility, excellent hemostatic performance, and the potent ability to accelerate wound healing for both external and internal wounds. This work provides new opportunities for minimally invasive surgery, especially in internal wound healing using smart and robust bio-glues.