Affiliation:
1. College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Soochow University Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu People's Republic of China
2. State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 200032 People's Republic of China
3. School of Chemistry University of Melbourne Victoria 3010 Australia
Abstract
AbstractWith the aim of producing a photomechanical material for incorporation in soft microrobots, a one‐dimensional diene coordination polymer (CP) [Cd(F‐bpeb)(3‐CBA)2]n (CP1, F‐bpeb=4,4′‐((1E,1′E)‐(2,5‐difluoro‐1,4‐phenylene)bis(ethene‐2,1‐diyl))dipyridine, 3‐HCBA=3‐chlorobenzoic acid) was synthesized and characterized. Irradiation of CP1 with ultraviolet (UV) or visible light causes [2+2] photocycloaddition reactions resulting in the introduction of crystal strain which triggers various types of crystal movements. Composite films of CP1‐PVA (SC) fabricated by dispersing CP1 crystals into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution allow amplification of the crystal movement so that the film strips exhibit fast and flexible curling upon photoirradiation. The composite films may be cut into long rectangular strips and folded to simulate soft microrobots which exhibit a variety of fast, flexible and continuous photomechanical movements resembling a human performing various gymnastic exercises.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology
Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions