An MoS2/PEDOT:PSS-based flexible NIR-responsive soft actuator

Abstract

The development of sophisticated smart devices heavily relies on flexible soft actuators combined with near infrared (NIR) light responsive two-dimensional (2D) materials. Soft robots provide a number of benefits, such as flexibility, high sensitivity, compliance and security. Amidst many manufacturing and driving approaches, light has surfaced as a facilitator, aiding in the fabrication of soft actuators. Using few-layered molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), the current work aims to introduce a polymer nanocomposite film for soft actuator applications under NIR light exposure. The actuation behavior was impacted by PEDOT:PSS under NIR light exposure. In order to incorporate controllable deformation of the actuator, the photothermal properties of the composite film were investigated. In situ Raman spectroscopy and the density functional theory (DFT) calculation explain the structural change and energy optimization of PEDOT:PSS. A soft insect was further designed based on this photothermal property, which can deform under light exposure. Therefore, such flexible design has huge potential for soft robotics applications in modern technologies.