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Fast, light-responsive, metal-like polymer actuators generating high stresses at low strain

Verpaalen, Rob C.P.; Varghese, Shaji; Froyen, Arne; Pilz da Cunha, Marina; Pouderoijen, Maarten J.; Severn, John R.; Bhatti, Muhammad R.; Peijs, Ton; Bastiaansen, Cees W.M.; Debije, Michael G.; Engels, Tom A.P.; Schenning, Albertus P.H.J.

Authors

Rob C.P. Verpaalen

Shaji Varghese

Arne Froyen

Marina Pilz da Cunha

Maarten J. Pouderoijen

John R. Severn

Muhammad R. Bhatti

Ton Peijs

Cees W.M. Bastiaansen

Michael G. Debije

Tom A.P. Engels

Albertus P.H.J. Schenning



Abstract

Producing lightweight polymeric actuators able to generate high stresses typical of hard metals and/or ceramics remains challenging. The photo-mechanical responses of ultra-drawn ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) actuators containing azobenzene photo-switches with symmetrically attached polyethylene (PE) side chains are reported. Long PE side chains promote dispersion within the apolar UHMWPE matrix, and the ultra-drawn films are highly aligned. The ultra-drawn azobenzene-doped UHMWPE films have high Young's moduli (∼100 GPa) and are viscoelastic at room temperature at strains below 1%. The photo-mechanical response of the films is fast (<1 s), showing a high specific actuation stress response (>6 × 104 Pa (kg m−3)−1) to UV or visible light at a low strain (∼0.06%). The actuator responds to rotating linearly polarized light, causing a photo-induced stress wave response. Such rapid, high-stress, low-strain, photo-mechanical responses are unique in soft polymer systems with physical values approaching hard metals/ceramics.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 2, 2020
Online Publication Date Mar 30, 2020
Publication Date Jun 3, 2020
Deposit Date Sep 7, 2023
Journal Matter
Electronic ISSN 2590-2385
Publisher Cell Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 2
Issue 6
Pages 1522-1534
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2020.03.001
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11076812