Photoresponsive Actuators Built from Carbon‐Based Soft Materials

Abstract

Actuations triggered by light strongly depend on the energy density of light, energy conversion efficiency and actuator dimensions. Therefore, understanding the energy-conversion routes is crucial for effective photoresponsive actuations. As illustrated in Table 1, several actuating schemes have been demonstrated in carbon-based soft materials, including indirect light-to-work-conversion with heat energy, electric energy and chemical energy introduced as intermediate energy sources and

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

“…In order to investigate the photo-responsive properties of neat polymer matrix and prepared nanocomposites in the form of electrospun mats, the thermo-mechanical analyzer (TMA) (Mettler Toledo, Columbus, OH, USA) has been used [16]. The photo-actuation performance ability of the material shows the reversible contraction and elongation upon irradiation with light source having 627 nm wavelength.…”

“…The filler absorbs the light of certain wavelength while the matrix exhibits appropriate elasticity. The majority of the fillers are based on carbon (carbon nanotubes [15,16] (CNTs) or graphene particles [17] and more specifically based on graphene oxide [18,19] (GO)). There are also some other substances with photo-active capability such as azobenzene-based molecules [20,21] that are utilized as well.…”

“…There are also some other substances with photo-active capability such as azobenzene-based molecules [20,21] that are utilized as well. In case of matrices, liquid crystals are the most applied materials [16,[22][23][24][25][26]. In the case of chemically cross-linked systems, poly(dimethyl siloxanes) [27,28] are used.…”

Liquid Crystal Networks on Thermoplastics: Reprogrammable Photo‐Responsive Actuators

“…This makes thermoplastic materials attractive as a highly versatile polymer for shape fixing of light‐driven soft actuators. Azobenzene doped liquid crystalline networks are a prominent class of materials for photo‐driven actuators, demonstrating fast and reversible shape changes . The tuneable molecular architecture of LCNs prior to polymerization allows for programmed actuation such as bending, twisting or rolling.…”

Liquid Crystal Networks on Thermoplastics: Reprogrammable Photo‐Responsive Actuators

“…[*] R. C. P. Verpaalen crystalline networks are a prominent class of materials for photo-driven actuators, demonstrating fast and reversible shape changes. [8][9][10][11] The tuneable molecular architecture of LCNs prior to polymerization allows for programmed actuation such as bending, twisting or rolling. Multi-modal shape morphing such as helical winding and unwinding within single liquid crystal (LC) actuators has been realized by employing different cutting directions, [12,13] dual-layer actuators with contrasting orientation directions, [14] alignment control through directional printing [15] or patterning.…”