Oscillating Surfaces Fueled by a Continuous AC Electric Field

Abstract

COMMUNICATION 1901292 (1 of 7)

Programmed topographical features generated on command in confined electroactive films

“…Deformation scales with the quadratic of the applied voltage. 34 In the simulations, the electric field is applied at a typical voltage of 150 V and a frequency of 1 Hz. Next, the simulated responses of the coatings are monitored as a function of time at two adjacent locations: above the ITO electrode and above the gaps (Fig.…”

“…The spin-coated electro-active polymer consists of a loosely crosslinked poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) elastomer that is provided with a 11 nm thick silicon oxide top layer originated from a UV/ozone treatment. 34 On top of the silicon oxide, we sputter-coated a thin gold layer which will act as the counter electrode. The silicon oxide top layer ensures the good adhesion between the gold layer and the active polymer layer.…”

“…The deformation scales inversely with the modulus. 34 In order to achieve surface deformation, a low modulus of the elastomer material is required. Additionally, Maxwell stresses must be applied locally by using patterned electrodes.…”

“…The results are based on our previous work where we introduce a new method to generate oscillating waves under a continuous AC electric field. 34,35 In this publication, we apply a similar coating but modify the electrode structures to add desired complexity to the deformation patterns. Based on our models we are able to predict the complex deformation figures and confirm them by timeresolved experimental topographical surface analysis.…”

Oscillating Reactions Meet Polymers at Interfaces

“…Oscillatory mechanical movements in polymer systems can be induced through the application of alternate inputs of external stimuli, whether physical (e.g., light [12], heat [13], electric current [14,15]) or chemical (e.g., pH [16], redox [17]), alone or in combination (e.g., heat and light [18], light and photoreactive molecules [19]). Chemically induced oscillations can be generated both with and without external control-in this latter case by embedding chemo-mechanical feedback mechanisms in the polymer system itself.…”