Opposite Self-Folding Behavior of Polymeric Photoresponsive Actuators Enabled by a Molecular Approach.

ABSTRACT: The ability to obtain 3D polymeric objects by a 2D-to-3D shape-shifting method is very appealing for polymer integration with different materials, from metals in electronic devices to cells in biological studies. Such functional reshaping can be achieved through self-folding driven by a strain pattern designed into the molecular network. Among polymeric materials, liquid crystalline networks (LCNs) present an anisotropic molecular structure that can be exploited to tailor internal strain, resulting in a natural non-planar geometry when prepared in the form of flat films. In this article, we analyze the influence of different molecular parameters of the monomers on the spontaneous shape of the polymeric films and their deformation under different stimuli, such as heating or light irradiatio

SUBMITTER: Martella D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6835338 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature