Direct Observation by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy of Microstructure and Phase Migration of PVC Gels in an Applied Electric Field

Abstract

The fluorescent probe lucigenin was incorporated in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) gels, and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was used to clarify the internal structures of the gels. From the two-dimensional and three-dimensional information by LSCM, we first observed the internal structure of the PVC gel at a wet status, where the PVC gels comprised a polymer-rich phase and a polymer-poor phase uniformly with a three-dimensional network structure. After an electric field was applied, an effect of the electric field resulted in the change of internal structure in the gels. The polymer-poor phase moved from the cathode to the anode and the polymer-rich phase formed linelike arrangement between electrodes due to the attraction force. On the other hand, the freeze-dried PVC gels with/without in-situ dc voltage casting were particularly fabricated to confirm above results by the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). It was found that many craters remained on the surface of the gel near the anode due to sublimation in freeze-drying. This phenomenon did not appear on the surface near the cathode. The results of in-situ dc voltage casting also suggested that a substantial amount of polymer-poor phase was moved and fixed at the anode. Thus, results of both LSCM and in-situ dc voltage casting corresponded to the effect of electric field on PVC gels and provided a convincing evidence for the interpretation of the deformation mechanism of PVC gel actuators by an applied electric field.

High-performance polyvinyl chloride gel artificial muscle actuator with graphene oxide and plasticizer

“…Plasticized PVC gels have also shown excellent flexibility, ability to conform to irregular surfaces and have a high surface tension 16 . Additionally, PVC gels have many advantages as actuators such as their ability to move in air, large strains, high output stresses, high response rates, and stability under thermal influence 17 . It has been theorized that deformation in PVC gels is caused by electric charge injection at the cathode, plasticizer migration, and the Maxwell force caused by the electric field between two parallel electrodes 18 .…”

Preparation and characterization of novel transparent plasticized poly(butylene terephthalate)-co -poly(alkylene glycol terephthalate) gel

“…This will reduce the molecular crystallinity and the film becomes more uniform and softer. When DBA is added, the polymer network swells and forms a gel structure with polymer‐rich and polymer‐poor phases, as shown in Figure (c). The area with minute particles is the polymer‐rich phase, and the area with linear structures is the polymer‐poor phase.…”

Aggregation‐Induced Emission for Visualization in Materials Science

“…[8] Moreover,3 Di mages can be reconstructed by collecting images at different depths along the Z-axis. [9] The development of confocal fluorescence microscopy provides great opportunities for visualizationi nm aterial science.…”

“…It has been reported that the resolution limits of 200–300 nm in the lateral direction and 500–700 nm in the axial direction can be obtained for confocal fluorescence microscopy . Moreover, 3D images can be reconstructed by collecting images at different depths along the Z ‐axis . The development of confocal fluorescence microscopy provides great opportunities for visualization in material science.…”