The presence of spatially non-uniform stresses within thin polymer sheets and multilayers typically gives rise to out-of-plane buckling modes that can be used to control the three-dimensional shapes of materials. By incorporating stimuli-responsive elements within such constructs, it is possible to prepare materials with dynamically reconfigurable shapes and properties. In this regard, light represents an attractive stimulus for switching, since it allows for remote control, with potentially high resolution in both space and time. While hydrogels represent excellent candidates as platforms for such patterned responsive materials, efforts have in large part been hampered by slow photochemical switching kinetics. Our group has recently studied several examples of hydrogel-based sheets and multilayers where photoswitching is instead enable through photothermal actuation of nanocomposite gels.

Optically programmed buckling of polymer nanocomposite gels

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.