College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
Polymer Research Institute, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
Macromol Rapid Commun. 2018 Apr;39(8):e1700863. doi: 10.1002/marc.201700863. Epub 2018 Feb 28.
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/Laponite (PNIPAM/Laponite) gradient nanocomposite hydrogel actuators are developed as temperature-controlled actuators with excellent performance using a facile electrophoresis method. The actuators exhibit a rapid (20 s response time) and reversible response, as well as large deformation (bending angle of 231°), which is due to the graded forces generated by the thermo-induced anisotropic shrinkage and extension of the gradient hydrogels. A good linear relationship is observed between the maximum bending angles and the corresponding temperatures for the actuators with fixed sizes. Moreover, the gradient hydrogel with high water content achieved larger actuation angles and shorter response time than the one with low water content, showing an interesting water-promoted effect. Meanwhile, different types of actuators are designed to suit for more specific scenarios, and may be used for various applications, such as biosensing, artificial organization, and transportation of targeted objects.
聚（N-异丙基丙烯酰胺）/膨润土（PNIPAM/Laponite）梯度纳米复合水凝胶驱动器是通过一种简单的电泳方法开发的，作为具有优异性能的温度控制驱动器。该驱动器表现出快速（20 秒响应时间）和可逆响应，以及大变形（弯曲角度为 231°），这归因于梯度水凝胶热诱导各向异性收缩和延伸产生的分级力。对于具有固定尺寸的驱动器，最大弯曲角度与相应温度之间观察到良好的线性关系。此外，高含水量的梯度水凝胶比低含水量的水凝胶实现了更大的致动角度和更短的响应时间，表现出有趣的水促进效应。同时，设计了不同类型的驱动器以适应更具体的场景，并可用于各种应用，如生物传感、人工组织和靶向物体的运输。
