Multifunctional flexible electrospun polydimethylsiloxane (ePDMS) membranes for soft robotics applications and photocatalytic conversion platforms

Abstract

Functional polymers with tailored properties have been used for various applications and are expected to play a major role in the realization of flexible functional devices. In this study, we report the successful electrospinning of a hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (ePDMS) membrane, with the aid of a carrier polymer, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Using the fabricated membranes, we demonstrate its applicability for the solvent-mediated trapping of objects and for enhancing photocatalytic activity. The shrinkage behavior of the ePDMS membrane in solvents such as IPA and EtOH is used to demonstrate their applications for creating membrane-based functional traps. Furthermore, the selective tuning of the permeability of the ePDMS membrane through gold sputtering on one side leads to the wrapping of the ePDMS membrane, and this was employed for plugging pores in tubes. The membranes also act as functional platforms for supporting enhanced photocatalytic conversion reactions. The ePDMS membranes act as oxygen diffusion membranes, eliminating the need for external oxygen purging. Our findings suggest that ePDMS membranes hold great potential for use in biomedical, sensor, electronic, and soft robotics fields. These insights pave the way for future research to fully explore the potential of ePDMS membranes.