Solvent Sorption-Induced Actuation of Composites Based on a Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity

Materials that are capable of actuation in response to a variety external stimuli significant interest for applications sensors, soft robotics, and biomedical devices. Here, we present class actuators using composites based on polymer intrinsic microporosity (PIM). By adding an activated carbon (AX21) filler PIM, the composite exhibits repeatable upon solvent evaporation wetting it is possible achieve highly controlled three-dimensional actuation. Curled shown open exposure close as result evaporation. The degree curling by adjusting amount rate casting process, while speed type solvent. range forces produced demonstrated acetone, ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide maximum contractile stress desorption pure PIM reached 12 MPa, with ultimate force over 20 000 times weight sample. This form actuator insensitive humidity water, which makes applicable aqueous environment, can survive wide temperatures. These characteristics make promising diverse operating conditions robotic medical applications. mechanism discussed, asymmetric distribution particles leads bilayer structure individual layers expand contract differently evaporation, respectively. Finally, demonstrate application potential drug delivery vehicle, capacity encapsulating two kinds drugs reduced leakage comparison existing technologies.