A NIR light-triggered pyroelectric-dominated generator based on a liquid crystal elastomer composite actuator for photoelectric conversion and self-powered sensing

Abstract

Transducing light into electricity in photoactive materials and composites is especially attractive for light sensing and light energy harvesting. Here, we present a near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered pyroelectricbased generator by integrating a photoresponsive composite actuator composed of a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) and graphene-doped poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) into a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film, which can effectively convert photothermal and mechanical energy into electricity. Notably, a NIR light photothermal-triggered pyroelectric effect leads to outstanding electric output performance resulting from the large temperature fluctuation induced by the contact and separation between the LCE-based composite actuator and PVDF film upon turning on or off the NIR illumination. In addition, the photothermal pyroelectric property arising from the thermal fluctuations makes the hybrid generator highly suitable as a self-powered NIR light and temperature sensor. This light-driven LCE-based hybrid generator opens a new opportunity for developing novel power generators and active sensors. rsc.li/rsc-advances 40856 | RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 40856-40865 This journal is

Bioinspired near-infrared light-induced ultrafast soft actuators with tunable deformation and motion based on conjugated polymers/liquid crystal elastomers

“…The twisting deformation of a soft CPs/LCE actuator could generate incompatible strain to propel the actuator roll forward. Compared with other millimeter-scale NIR light-induced soft actuators reported in the literature, 6,[47][48][49][50] the CPs/LCE actuators proposed here exhibit a faster response time (within 1 s), more significant deformation potential (1801 bending angle) and higher locomotion speed (0.47 mm s À1 ).…”

Multidimensional‐Encryption in Emissive Liquid Crystal Elastomers through Synergistic Usage of Photorewritable Fluorescent Patterning and Reconfigurable 3D Shaping

“…A detailed description of the synthetic procedure is provided in the Supporting Information (Scheme S1, Supporting Information). The chemical structure of DPPTA is well characterized by 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy (for details see the Supporting Information). To study the photoisomerization, we characterized photophysical and photoluminescence behaviors of DPPTA under light irradiation, including 1 H-NMR spectra, UV-vis absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra of DPPTA in solution (see Figures S1-S3, Supporting Information).…”

A Flexible Bilayer Actuator Based on Liquid Crystal Network and PVDF–TrFE for Low‐Grade Waste Heat Harvesting

“…[ 19–22 ] Combining light‐driven LCN films combined with piezoelectric materials, such as PVDF, can further convert mechanical motions to electrical energy. [ 23–26 ] Wei et al reported a near‐infrared (NIR) light‐triggered generator composed of a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) and PVDF film. [ 26 ] Tang et al reported an optical pendulum generator that could generate electricity continuously by liquid crystalline actuators’ oscillation.…”

“…[ 23–26 ] Wei et al reported a near‐infrared (NIR) light‐triggered generator composed of a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) and PVDF film. [ 26 ] Tang et al reported an optical pendulum generator that could generate electricity continuously by liquid crystalline actuators’ oscillation. [ 27 ] However, the low‐grade waste heat harvester based on LCNs is seldom reported and most of such actuators with the separated stimuli active film from the generation film relied on repeatedly switching light stimulus on–off, [ 23,24,27 ] which strongly limits their practical applications and the integration of the device.…”