We report on layered soft materials which exhibit programmable, nanostructure-encoded, reversible shape changes in response to light irradiation. The use of gold nanoparticles grafted with a temperature-responsive polymer with layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly allowed placement of plasmonic structures within specific regions in the film, while exposure to light caused localized material deswelling by a photothermal mechanism. Precise localization of brush-decorated gold nanostructures within LbL films yielded materials allowing remotely controlled unidirectional changes in material swelling.  We discuss the equilibrium swollen states and mechanical properties of LbL assemblies. Incorporation of dissimilar plasmonic nanostructures (solid gold nanoparticles and nanoshells) within different material strata enabled controlled shrinkage of specific regions of hydrogels at specific excitation wavelengths.  The demonstrated novel ways to dynamically control nanocomposite swelling anisotropy and shape are potentially useful in optically manipulated functional devices.

Layered, light-responsive polymer nanocomposites

245th National Meeting (2013)

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