Issue 1, 2018

An instant responsive polymer driven by anisotropy of crystal phases

Abstract

We report a new type of responsive polymer film which is composed of pure poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and is prepared using a simple solution-casting method. This responsive PVDF film possesses an anisotropic spatial distribution of the α phase and β phase, resulting in a fast response rate, high sensitivity, and robust responsiveness to organic vapors. Experimental and computational studies illustrate that α-phase PVDF exhibits a much stronger swelling ability in acetone vapor than β-phase PVDF. Anisotropic swelling induces internal stresses, offering a driving force for macroscopic shape transformation. This newly unveiled mechanism endows the material with new functionalities for fabricating devices such as a magnetically controlled soft tumbler and a chemi-mechanical sensor. Furthermore, crystal phase anisotropy in the PVDF film can be easily programmed into origami patterns by direct laser writing (DLW) for driving reversible three-dimensional (3D) shape transformation of the film.

Graphical abstract: An instant responsive polymer driven by anisotropy of crystal phases

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
18 oct. 2017
Accepted
22 nov. 2017
First published
22 nov. 2017

Mater. Horiz., 2018,5, 99-107

An instant responsive polymer driven by anisotropy of crystal phases

H. Deng, Y. Dong, C. Zhang, Y. Xie, C. Zhang and J. Lin, Mater. Horiz., 2018, 5, 99 DOI: 10.1039/C7MH00854F

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