Hou Jiaxin, Mondal Anirban, Long Guiying, de Haan Laurens, Zhao Wei, Zhou Guofu, Liu Danqing, Broer Dirk J, Chen Jiawen, Feringa Ben L
SCNU-UG International Joint Laboratory of Molecular Science and Displays, National Center for International Research on Green Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747, AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2021 Apr 6;60(15):8251-8257. doi: 10.1002/anie.202016254. Epub 2021 Mar 12.
Controlling sophisticated motion by molecular motors is a major goal on the road to future actuators and soft robotics. Taking inspiration from biological motility and mechanical functions common to artificial machines, responsive small molecules have been used to achieve macroscopic effects, however, translating molecular movement along length scales to precisely defined linear, twisting and rotary motions remain particularly challenging. Here, we present the design, synthesis and functioning of liquid-crystal network (LCN) materials with intrinsic rotary motors that allow the conversion of light energy into reversible helical motion. In this responsive system the photochemical-driven molecular motor has a dual function operating both as chiral dopant and unidirectional rotor amplifying molecular motion into a controlled and reversible left- or right-handed macroscopic twisting movement. By exploiting the dynamic chirality, directionality of motion and shape change of a single motor embedded in an LC-network, complex mechanical motions including bending, walking and helical motion, in soft polymer materials are achieved which offers fascinating opportunities toward inherently photo-responsive materials.
利用分子马达控制复杂运动是通往未来致动器和软体机器人技术道路上的一个主要目标。受生物运动性和人造机器共有的机械功能启发，响应性小分子已被用于实现宏观效应，然而，将分子运动沿长度尺度转化为精确界定的线性、扭转和旋转运动仍然极具挑战性。在此，我们展示了具有固有旋转马达的液晶网络（LCN）材料的设计、合成及功能，该材料能将光能转化为可逆的螺旋运动。在这个响应系统中，光化学驱动的分子马达具有双重功能，既作为手性掺杂剂，又作为单向转子，将分子运动放大为可控且可逆的左旋或右旋宏观扭转运动。通过利用嵌入液晶网络中的单个马达的动态手性、运动方向性和形状变化，在软质聚合物材料中实现了包括弯曲、行走和螺旋运动在内的复杂机械运动，这为开发本质上光响应材料提供了迷人的机遇。
