Smart Non-Woven Fiber Mats with Light-Induced Sensing Capability

Abstract

This article is focused on the facile procedure for 2D graphene oxide (GO) fabrication, utilizing reversible de-activation polymerization approach and therefore enhanced compatibility with surrounding polymer matrix. Such tunable improvement led to a controllable sensing response after irradiation with light. The neat GO as well as surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) grafted particles were investigated by atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. To confirm the successful surface reduction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy was utilized. The composites in form of non-woven fiber mats containing ungrafted GO and controllably grafted GO with compact layer of polymer dispersed in poly(vinylidene-co-hexafluoropropylene) were prepared by electrospinning technique and characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical performance was characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis. Thermal conductivity was employed to confirm that the conducting filler was well-dispersed in the polymer matrix. The presented controllable coating with polymer layer and its impact on the overall performance, especially photo-actuation and subsequent contraction of the material aiming on the sensing applications, was discussed.

Effect of Structure of Polymers Grafted from Graphene Oxide on the Compatibility of Particles with a Silicone-Based Environment and the Stimuli-Responsive Capabilities of Their Composites

“…This sample showed nearly 30 m contraction after 10 s of irradiation, which is enormously high in comparison to other GO hybrids and/or previously investigated PDMS based systems [9,25]. Unfortunately, as already mentioned 30 m of actuation for our best chemically crosslinked PDMS systems are not that high in comparison to those GO-hybrids dispersed in the TPEs, due to the fact the physical cross-linking provides better flexibility of the systems, however this is not that stable from the long-term on/off cycling point of view [52,53].…”

From Brush to Dendritic Structure: Tool for Tunable Interfacial Compatibility between the Iron-Based Particles and Silicone Oil in Magnetorheological Fluids

“…Smart systems are usually hybrid composites or integrated systems of advanced materials that can respond to external physical or chemical stimuli in a controlled manner to perform specified tasks. , They react to environmental changes, such as mechanical stress and strain, hydrostatic pressure, magnetic − and electric field, − temperature, − light, − pH, and moisture, and then come back to the original state after removing the stimuli. , External stimuli can cause different responses such as changes in size, color, moisture, and viscosity of flow . Smart materials, due to their intelligent behavior toward the alteration of the above-mentioned parameters can be utilized as sensors, actuators, and drug delivery systems .…”

Effect of Nano-Sized Poly(Butyl Acrylate) Layer Grafted from Graphene Oxide Sheets on the Compatibility and Beta-Phase Development of Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) and Their Vibration Sensing Performance

“…Stimuli-responsive systems are of interest to the researcher, due to their smart and in fact reversible behavior upon external input. For this purpose the electric field [ 1 ], magnetic field [ 2 ], temperature [ 3 ], light [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ] and pH stimulation [ 8 ] are in the majority due to its rise in real-life applications. Another very important smart stimuli-responsive behavior is generation of the electrical output under mechanical excitation also called piezoelectric effect [ 9 ].…”