A Fascinating Metallo-Supramolecular Polymer Network with Thermal/Magnetic/Light-Responsive Shape-Memory Effects Anchored by Fe₃O₄ Nanoparticles

Abstract

Two-way shape-memory polymers (2W-SMPs) show great potential in actuating applications such as robotics due to their reversibility; indeed, multiresponsive 2W-SMPs are more expected. Inspired by the fascinating adhesion effects of mussels, we herein describe a metallo-supramolecular poly­(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based network constructed around catechol chemistry, leading to excellent thermal/magnetic/light-responsive two-way shape-memory effects (2W-SME) as well as self-healing capacity. These hybrid networks get readily self-assembled upon metal coordination interaction between superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) and catechol-telechelic PCL. The incorporation of Fe3O4 NPs may act as the strong netpoints which allow the networks with excellent thermal-responsive one-way (1W) and 2W-SME, due to the ability of the semicrystalline PCL segments to present both crystallization-induced elongation (CIE) and melting-induced contraction (MIC) under constant stress. As a multifunctional medium, moreover, it also endows the hybrids with the magnetic-responsive 2W-SME in an alternating magnetic field and the light-induced SME triggered by the near-infrared light. Thanks to the dynamic nature of this metal coordination interaction inspired by mussel, the target hybrid networks also showed good self-healing capability. A model of magnetic-triggered actuator was well-established, which allows to the material with interesting applications such as remote-control or intelligent magnetic-sensitive devices.

Adaptive Superamphiphilic Organohydrogels with Reconfigurable Surface Topography for Programming Unidirectional Liquid Transport

“…As shown in Figure , we design a smart organohydrogel‐based microfluidic device that can achieve the on‐demand remote programming of unidirectional liquid transport. By the integration of photothermal nanotransducers that are Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, our nanocomposite organohydrogels exhibit a high near‐infrared (NIR) light absorption capacity. Figure S14 in the Supporting Information demonstrates materials' rapid photothermal effect, where a macroscale organohydrgogel surface can be heated from 22 to 70 °C in 5 s through the NIR laser irradiation (808 nm, 1.8 W cm −2 ).…”

Reversible Actuation Ability upon Light Stimulation of the Smart Systems with Controllably Grafted Graphene Oxide with Poly (Glycidyl Methacrylate) and PDMS Elastomer: Effect of Compatibility and Graphene Oxide Reduction on the Photo-Actuation Performance

“…Smart materials belong to a group of matters. Such physical properties can be changed upon external stimulus i.e., electric [1,2,3,4] or magnetic field [5,6,7,8], pH [9,10,11,12], temperature [13,14,15,16], or light [17,18,19,20]. The systems exhibiting reversible photo-actuation and light-responsive properties are vital for the research community only during the last decade while the rest of the above mentioned properties have been part of the research community over the past 30 years.…”

Fabrication of Shape‐Memory Aerogel Based on Chitosan/Poly(ethylene glycol) Diacrylate Semi‐Interpenetrating Networks via a Facile and Eco‐Friendly Strategy

“…While the application of aerogels in smart materials has attracted increasing attention, ensuring full functionality in a porous structure is still highly challenging. As one of the booming smart materials, shape‐memory polymers (SMPs) have been intensively investigated, and numerous multiresponsive, multifunctional shape memory polymeric bulk materials or hydrogels have been developed. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been very few reports about shape memory aerogels .…”