Near-Infrared Chromophore Functionalized Soft Actuator with Ultrafast Photoresponsive Speed and Superior Mechanical Property

J Am Chem Soc. 2017 Aug 23;139(33):11333-11336. doi: 10.1021/jacs.7b06410. Epub 2017 Aug 10.

Abstract

In this Communication, we develop a two-step acyclic diene metathesis in situ polymerization/cross-linking method to synthesize uniaxially aligned main-chain liquid crystal elastomers with chemically bonded near-infrared absorbing four-alkenyl-tailed croconaine-core cross-linkers. Because of the extraordinary photothermal conversion property, such a soft actuator material can raise its local temperature from 18 to 260 °C in 8 s, and lift up burdens 5600 times heavier than its own weight, under 808 nm near-infrared irradiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't