Versatile Actuators Based on Polypyrrole-Coated Metalized Eggshell Membranes

Abstract

Eggshell membranes were employed as biological scaffolds for developing soft and versatile actuators. A particular architecture, consisting of eggshell membrane coated with polypyrrole, has been fabricated and has been found to be a green, inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to handle class of actuators. The polypyrrole-coated eggshell membrane devices were tested in liquid, ambient atmosphere and controlled humidity environment, with the recorded movements proving their versatility. In 1 M NaCl aqueous solution, by applying successive potential pulses, the actuator contracts/expands owing to the expulsion/insertion of the electrolyte ions out/into polypyrrole film, producing a displacement of ∼0.1 cm. In air, upon application of voltages from 2 to 5 V on a V-shaped geometry actuator, it bends due to water desorption from its structure induced by Joule heating, generating a displacement which reaches ∼0.4 cm at 5 V. In a chamber with controlled humidity, the decrease of humidity stimulates a bending/curling motion of the actuator, achieving a displacement of ∼2.1 cm at 50% relative humidity. Upon modification of the humidity, these actuators move, hold, and release delicate and lightweight objects. Such polypyrrole-coated eggshell membrane actuators which operate in different environments and respond to multiple stimuli can have potential applications in biomimetic micromanipulators or artificial muscle fields.

Synthesis of Core–Double Shell Nylon-ZnO/Polypyrrole Electrospun Nanofibers

“…Accordingly, the formation of PPy is confirmed by the presence of absorption bands placed: at 1726 cm −1 , which corresponds to vibration modes of the C=O bond due to the formation of a slightly overoxidized polypyrrole; at 1706 and 1584 cm −1 related to the stretching vibrations of C=C and C–C of pyrrole rings; at 1476, 1374 and 1226 cm −1 assigned to the stretching vibrations of C–N bonds; as well, at 1246 cm −1 associated with the in plane vibrational modes of C–H, while those at 816 and 954 cm −1 are specific to out-of-plane stretching vibrations of C–H; at 1102 cm −1 being correlated with the N–H in plane deformation. All these results are in good agreement with those reported in the scientific literature [ 41 ].…”

Smart Textile‐Integrated Microelectronic Systems for Wearable Applications

“…Thanks to the different water absorbance ability of GO and rGO, the swelling degree of the two layers is different under humidity stimulation, and this asymmetric expansion can cause the bilayer film to exhibit an actuating behavior. Besides, some polymers with good water absorption ability, such as PEDOT:PSS, PPy, poly(3‐sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt) (PSPMA), a π‐stacked carbon nitride polymer (CNP), could also be used to prepare humidity actuators.…”

Avian Egg: A Multifaceted Biomaterial for Tissue Engineering

“…ESM is mostly composed of collagenized fibrous proteins (Figure ). This unique fibrous protein network is biocompatible, interwoven, and porous, exhibiting high water permeability. − For centuries, ESM has been used for treating chronic ulcers and bone fractures, and was formally named “phoenix cloth” in Chinese traditional medicine. ,,, …”