Photo Switchable 4D Printing Remotely Controlled Responsive and Mimetic Deformation Shape Memory Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

Photo‐triggered shape morphing structures can be found in myriads of areas. Utilizing light as a switch can effectively control and regulate the precise deformation of structures. However, the integration of photo‐switching functions in shape‐morphing structures with complex geometries remains a challenge. Here, photoswitchable digital light processing based 4D printing high‐resolution and highly complex geometries, based on UV curable WO2.9 nanoparticle doped shape memory polymer nanocomposites is reported, which are highly deformable (stretchability up to ≈1000% at rubbery state) and fatigue resistant (repeatedly loaded >1200 times at ambient temperature). The presence of just trace WO2.9 nanoparticles (<0.20 wt.‰) contributes to the controlled photothermal property of nanocomposite via selective absorption of light, which enables reversibly photoswitchable (>50 times), spatial and remote control of 4D printing shape morphing structures. These findings offer a promising approach to expanding the applications of photo‐triggered shape‐morphing structures.