1
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Yang Y, Li D, Yan N, Guo F. A new 3D printing strategy by enhancing shear-induced alignment of gelled nanomaterial inks resulting in stronger and ductile cellulose films. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 340:122269. [PMID: 38858020 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are derived from biomass and have significant potential as fossil-based plastic alternatives used in disposable electronics. Controlling the nanostructure of fibrils is the key to obtaining strong mechanical properties and high optical transparency. Vacuum filtration is usually used to prepare the CNFs film in the literature; however, such a process cannot control the structure of the CNFs film, which limits the transparency and mechanical strength of the film. Here, direct ink writing (DIW), a pressure-controlled extrusion process, is proposed to fabricate the CNFs film, which can significantly harness the alignment of fibrils by exerting shear stress force on the filaments. The printed films by DIW have a compact structure, and the degree of fibril alignment quantified by the small angle X-ray diffraction (SAXS) increases by 24 % compared to the vacuum filtration process. Such a process favors the establishment of the chemical bond (or interaction) between molecules, therefore leading to considerably high tensile strength (245 ± 8 MPa), elongation at break (2.2 ± 0.5 %), and good transparency. Thus, proposed DIW provides a new strategy for fabricating aligned CNFs films in a controlled manner with tunable macroscale properties. Moreover, this work provides theoretical guidance for employing CNFs as structural and reinforcing materials to design disposable electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxia Yang
- Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Education Ministry of China, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Li
- Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Education Ministry of China, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ning Yan
- Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College St, M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Fu Guo
- Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Materials, Education Ministry of China, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, People's Republic of China; School of Mechanical Electrical Engineering, Beijing Information Science and Technology University, Beijing 100192, People's Republic of China
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2
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Kumar V, Satapathy DK. Responsive soft actuator: harnessing multi-vapor, light, and magnetic field stimuli. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:5435-5446. [PMID: 38949520 DOI: 10.1039/d4sm00513a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Bioinspired soft actuators, capable of undergoing shape deformation in response to external triggers, hold great potential in fields such as soft robotics, artificial muscles, drug delivery, and smart switches. However, their widespread application is hindered by limitations in responsiveness, durability, and complex fabrication processes. In this study, we propose a new approach to tackle these challenges by developing a single-layer soft actuator that responds to multiple stimuli using a straightforward solution-casting method. This actuator comprises bio-polymer gelatin, bio-compatible PEDOT:PSS, and iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. Our actuator exhibits responsiveness to a range of organic solvent vapors, including water vapor, light, and magnetic fields. Notably, it exhibits rapid and reversible bending in distinct directions in response to different vapors, bending upwards in the presence of water vapor and downwards in the presence of alcohol vapor. Moreover, exposure to infrared (IR) light induces a bending toward the light source. The incorporation of magnet-responsive Fe3O4 nanoparticles induces multi-functionality in the actuator. The actuation characteristics of the actuator are controlled by leveraging its responsiveness to dual stimuli, such as water vapor and magnetic fields, as well as light and magnetic fields. For the proof of concept, we showcase several potential applications of our multi-stimuli responsive soft actuator, including magnet-triggered electrical switches, cargo transportation, soft grippers, targeted drug delivery, energy harvesting, and bio-mimicry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipin Kumar
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, IIT Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, IIT Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dillip K Satapathy
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, IIT Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, IIT Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India
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3
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Liu Z, Wang Y, He H, Zhang C, Pan N, Wang L. Interfacial Dehydration Strategy for Chitosan Film Shape Morphing and Its Application. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:6665-6672. [PMID: 38767991 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c01324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Shape morphing of biopolymer materials, such as chitosan (CS) films, has great potential for applications in many fields. Traditionally, their responsive behavior has been induced by the differential water swelling through the preparation of multicomponent composites or cross-linking as deformation is not controllable in the absence of these processes. Here, we report an interfacial dehydration strategy to trigger the shape morphing of the monocomponent CS film without cross-linking. The release of water molecules is achieved by spraying the surface with a NaOH solution or organic solvents, which results in the interfacial shrinkage and deformation of the entire film. On the basis of this strategy, a range of CS actuators were developed, such as soft grippers, joint actuators, and a light switch. Combined with the geometry effect, edited deformation was also achieved from the planar CS film. This shape-morphing strategy is expected to enable the application of more biopolymers in a wide range of fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, China
| | - Yuanyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, China
| | - Hailong He
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, China
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Chenyuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, China
| | - Na Pan
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, China
- Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, China
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4
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Gupta N, Kumar A, Vaddavalli PK, Mahapatra NR, Varshney A, Ghosh P. Efficient reduction of the scrolling of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty grafts by engineering the medium. Acta Biomater 2023; 171:239-248. [PMID: 37739249 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
The Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) procedure for corneal transplantation is challenging due to the need to unscroll the donor graft within the recipient's eye. This process of unscrolling is complex, time-consuming, leads to a loss of endothelial cells and, most importantly, can negatively impact the graft's adhesion and integration with the host tissue after surgery. This problem is particularly evident when the graft is young. However, the physics behind this scrolling is not well understood, and therefore no sustainable solution is attained. Here, we propose that the concentration gradient of the medium used during transplant leads to a displacement gradient across the graft thickness, resulting in an out-of-plane folding or scrolling of the graft tissue. Using chitosan bilayer-based experimental models, it is experimentally demonstrated that this diffusion-coupled-deformation phenomenon can successfully explain why younger donor grafts tend to scroll tighter than older ones. Most importantly, we illustrate here through experiments that the medium can be engineered to reduce the scroll tightness and thus reduce the surgical inconveniences and improve post-transplant recovery. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This paper addresses a major issue that surgeons face while doing Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) in unscrolling grafts during the graft insertion procedure. The currently used tapping method to unscroll the graft inside the patient's eye significantly reduces endothelial cell count, thus affecting its lifetime. Surprisingly, the physics behind graft scrolling is not well understood, so no sustainable solutions are proposed by the medical community. In this work, we present the underlying mechanism of DMEK graft scroll and illustrate experimentally the reason for scroll tightness through a chitosan bilayer based experiment model. Most importantly, we have successfully demonstrated that the preserving medium of the grafts can be engineered to reduce scroll tightness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Gupta
- Department of Cornea Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, Delhi, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology & Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras, India
| | | | | | - Akhil Varshney
- Eicher-Shroff Center for Stem Cell Research, Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, Daryaganj, Delhi, India.
| | - Pijush Ghosh
- Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering; Center for Soft and Biological Matter, IIT Madras, India.
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5
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Ceccarini M, Chiesa I, Ripanti F, Cardinali MA, Micalizzi S, Scattini G, De Maria C, Paciaroni A, Petrillo C, Comez L, Bertelli M, Sassi P, Pascucci L, Beccari T, Valentini L. Electrospun Nanofibrous UV Filters with Bidirectional Actuation Properties Based on Salmon Sperm DNA/Silk Fibroin for Biomedical Applications. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:38233-38242. [PMID: 37867705 PMCID: PMC10586176 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we dissolved Bombyx mori degummed silk [i.e., silk fibroin (SF)] and salmon sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in water and used a bioinspired spinning process to obtain an electrospun nanofibrous SF-based patch (ESF). We investigated the bidirectional macroscale actuation behavior of ESF in response to water vapor and its UV-blocking properties as well as those of ESF/DNA films. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results suggest that the formation of β-sheet-rich structures promotes the actuation effect. ESF/DNA film with high-ordered and β-sheet-rich structures exhibits higher electrical conductivity and is water-insoluble. Given the intrinsic ability of both SF and DNA to absorb UV radiation, we performed biological experiments on the viability of keratinocyte HaCaT cells after exposure to solar spectrum components. Our findings indicate that the ESF/DNA patch is photoprotective and can increase the cellular viability of keratinocytes after UV exposure. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ESF/DNA patches treated with water vapor can serve as suitable scaffolds for tissue engineering and can improve tissue regeneration when cellularized with HaCaT cells. The 3D shape morphing capability of these patches, along with their potential as UV filters, could offer significant practical advantages in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irene Chiesa
- Department
of Ingegneria dell’Informazione and Research Center E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, Pisa 56122, Italy
| | - Francesca Ripanti
- Dipartimento
di Fisica e Geologia, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Via A. Pascoli, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Martina Alunni Cardinali
- Department
of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Simone Micalizzi
- Department
of Ingegneria dell’Informazione and Research Center E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, Pisa 56122, Italy
| | - Gabriele Scattini
- Dipartimento
di Medicina Veterinaria, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo, 4, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - Carmelo De Maria
- Department
of Ingegneria dell’Informazione and Research Center E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, Pisa 56122, Italy
| | - Alessandro Paciaroni
- Dipartimento
di Fisica e Geologia, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Via A. Pascoli, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Caterina Petrillo
- Dipartimento
di Fisica e Geologia, Università
degli Studi di Perugia, Via A. Pascoli, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Lucia Comez
- Istituto
Officina dei Materiali-IOM, National Research Council-CNR, Via Alessandro Pascoli, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | | | - Paola Sassi
- Department
of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Luisa Pascucci
- Dipartimento
di Medicina Veterinaria, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo, 4, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - Tommaso Beccari
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Science, University of
Perugia, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Luca Valentini
- Civil
and Environmental Engineering Department and INSTM Research Unit, University of Perugia, Strada di Pentima 8, Terni 05100, Italy
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6
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Tang R, Gao W, Jia Y, Wang K, Datta BK, Zheng W, Zhang H, Xu Y, Lin Y, Weng W. Mechanochemically assisted morphing of shape shifting polymers. Chem Sci 2023; 14:9207-9212. [PMID: 37655017 PMCID: PMC10466301 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc02404k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphing in creatures has inspired various synthetic polymer materials that are capable of shape shifting. The morphing of polymers generally relies on stimuli-active (typically heat and light active) units that fix the shape after a mechanical load-based shape programming. Herein, we report a strategy that uses a mechanochemically active 2,2'-bis(2-phenylindan-1,3-dione) (BPID) mechanophore as a switching unit for mechanochemical morphing. The mechanical load on the polymer triggers the dissociation of the BPID moiety into stable 2-phenylindan-1,3-dione (PID) radicals, whose subsequent spontaneous dimerization regenerates BPID and fixes the temporary shapes that can be effectively recovered to the permanent shapes by heating. A greater extent of BPID activation, through a higher BPID content or mechanical load, leads to higher mechanochemical shape fixity. By contrast, a relatively mechanochemically less active hexaarylbiimidazole (HABI) mechanophore shows a lower fixing efficiency when subjected to the same programing conditions. Another control system without a mechanophore shows a low fixing efficiency comparable to the HABI system. Additionally, the introduction of the BPID moiety also manifests remarkable mechanochromic behavior during the shape programing process, offering a visualizable indicator for the pre-evaluation of morphing efficiency. Unlike conventional mechanical mechanisms that simultaneously induce morphing, such as strain-induced plastic deformation or crystallization, our mechanochemical method allows for shape programming after the mechanical treatment. Our concept has potential for the design of mechanochemically programmable and mechanoresponsive shape shifting polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Tang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University 422 South Siming Road Xiamen Fujian 361005 P. R. China
| | - Wenli Gao
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University 422 South Siming Road Xiamen Fujian 361005 P. R. China
| | - Yulin Jia
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University 422 South Siming Road Xiamen Fujian 361005 P. R. China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University 422 South Siming Road Xiamen Fujian 361005 P. R. China
| | - Barun Kumar Datta
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University 422 South Siming Road Xiamen Fujian 361005 P. R. China
| | - Wei Zheng
- College of Materials Science, Xiamen University 422 South Siming Road Xiamen Fujian 361005 P. R. China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University 422 South Siming Road Xiamen Fujian 361005 P. R. China
| | - Yuanze Xu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University 422 South Siming Road Xiamen Fujian 361005 P. R. China
| | - Yangju Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University 443 Via Ortega, Stanford California 94305 USA
| | - Wengui Weng
- Department of Chemistry, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University 422 South Siming Road Xiamen Fujian 361005 P. R. China
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7
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Jayoti D, Peeketi AR, Kumbhar PY, Swaminathan N, Annabattula RK. Geometry Controlled Oscillations in Liquid Crystal Polymer Films Triggered by Thermal Feedback. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:18362-18371. [PMID: 36975405 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c02472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Light-induced oscillatory behavior of liquid crystal polymer network (LCN) films has been demonstrated by several researchers in the past decade. Similarly, oscillations in LCN films under constant thermal stimulus have been reported recently, although the mechanism and the factors that govern the oscillatory behavior are not well understood. In this work, we study the dynamics of self-sustained oscillations exhibited by LCN films under a constant thermal stimulus through experiments and simulations. Geometrically asymmetric films such as a right triangle and an equilateral triangle are obtained from a twisted nematic square film. A multiphysics computational framework using the finite element method is developed to simulate the oscillatory behavior of the LCN films kept on a hot plate. The framework accounts for a coupling between heat transfer and mechanical deformations during the oscillations. Small temperature fluctuations (≈ 1 °C) coupled with gravity induced torque are shown to drive the oscillatory behavior at a specific plate temperature. We show for the first time that self-sustained oscillations can also be achieved in symmetric shapes, such as square films, by creating a thickness tapering between two opposite edges. The frequency of the oscillations is found to be in the range of 0.5 to 2.5 Hz for different geometries studied. The oscillation temperature depends on the mean thickness, size, and thickness profile of the films. As a possible application, we demonstrate a thermally actuated optical chopper using the oscillatory response of the films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Jayoti
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Akhil Reddy Peeketi
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Pramod Yallappa Kumbhar
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Narasimhan Swaminathan
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Ratna Kumar Annabattula
- Center for Soft and Biological Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
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8
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Kumar A, Rajamanickam R, Hazra J, Mahapatra NR, Ghosh P. Engineering the Nonmorphing Point of Actuation for Controlled Drug Release by Hydrogel Bilayer across the pH Spectrum. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:56321-56330. [PMID: 36475612 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c16658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogel-based pH-responsive bilayer actuators exhibit bidirectional actuation due to the differences in the concentration gradient developed across the thickness, the volume expansion due to swelling, and the mechanical stiffness of the layers involved. At a pH value (point), where the sum of these factors generates moments of equal magnitudes, the moments cancel each other and result in no net actuation. This pH point is termed here as a "nonmorphing point". In this work, we present a bilayer of chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) cross-linked with citric acid (CA) with tunable nonmorphing points across the pH spectrum by modulating the concentration and cross-linking density of the layers involved. The standard CS/CMC bilayer films took about 40 s to completely fold (clockwise) in 0.1 M HCl and 78 s to completely fold (anticlockwise) in 0.1 M NaOH. Generally, pH-responsive actuators are designed for targeted drug delivery to a specific site inside the body as they show bidirectional (clockwise/anticlockwise) actuation around a single nonmorphing point. The same pH-responsive system cannot be applied for drug release at another site with a different functioning pH. Thus, having a pH-responsive system with multiple nonmorphing points is highly desirable. Drug release experiments were performed with FITC and EtBr as model drugs loaded in CS and CMC layers. Moreover, the clockwise/anticlockwise actuation of the bilayer around the nonmorphing point can facilitate or inhibit the release of a drug. The clockwise actuation resulted in 55% FITC release and inhibited EtBr release to 4%; anticlockwise actuation resulted in 50% EtBr release and inhibited FITC release to 5%. We demonstrated morphing induced drug release by hydrogel bilayer films with tunable nonmorphing points across the pH spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Kumar
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Raja Rajamanickam
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Joyita Hazra
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Nitish R Mahapatra
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Pijush Ghosh
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Center for Responsive Soft Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
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9
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Debta S, Bhutia SZ, Satapathy DK, Ghosh P. Intrinsic-water desorption induced thermomechanical response of hydrogels. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:8285-8294. [PMID: 36285568 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01054b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We report an interplay between the desorption of intrinsic water and relaxation of polymer chains resulting in an unusual thermomechanical response of a hydrogel, wherein the elastic modulus increases in a certain temperature range followed by a sharp decrease with a further increase in temperature. We establish that, in a hydrogel, the desorption of disparate water types having distinct binding energy affects the consolidation and relaxation behaviour of the matrix, which in turn affects the mechanical properties at different temperature ranges. Using temperature-dependent dielectric relaxation spectroscopy and nanoindentation techniques, the chain dynamics and mechanical properties are investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanghamitra Debta
- Nano Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras, Chennai-600036, India.
| | - Sonam Zangpo Bhutia
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, IIT Madras, Chennai-600036, India.
| | - Dillip K Satapathy
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, IIT Madras, Chennai-600036, India.
| | - Pijush Ghosh
- Nano Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras, Chennai-600036, India.
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10
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Peeketi AR, Sol JAHP, Swaminathan N, Schenning APHJ, Debije MG, Annabattula RK. Calla Lily flower inspired morphing of flat films to conical tubes. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20220492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Akhil R. Peeketi
- Center for Responsive Soft Matter, Department of Mechanical Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai India
| | - Jeroen A. H. P. Sol
- Laboratory of Stimuli‐Responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Narasimhan Swaminathan
- Center for Responsive Soft Matter, Department of Mechanical Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai India
| | - Albert P. H. J. Schenning
- Laboratory of Stimuli‐Responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS) Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Micheal G. Debije
- Laboratory of Stimuli‐Responsive Functional Materials and Devices (SFD), Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Ratna K. Annabattula
- Center for Responsive Soft Matter, Department of Mechanical Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai India
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11
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Ganesan M, Kumar R, Satapathy DK. Bidirectional Actuation of Silk Fibroin Films: Role of Water and Alcohol Vapors. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:6066-6075. [PMID: 35500271 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) shape morphism observed in nature inspires the development of stimuli-responsive soft actuators. Vapor-responsive actuators are promising among the different stimuli-responsive materials due to their capability to produce macroscale movements in response to a minuscule amount of specific chemical vapor. Here, we report unusual multiple vapor-responsive bidirectional macroscale actuation behaviors of single-layer regenerated silk fibroin films. The vapor-responsive silk fibroin actuator exhibits antagonistic actuation characteristics in a reversible manner to both water and ethanol vapors. For instance, it produces an upward bending in the presence of water vapor and downward bending in ethanol vapor, which demonstrates the chemical vapor-specific actuation. However, the actuation characteristics remain largely invariant upon changing the polarity of alcohol molecules. The silk fibroin actuators effectively utilize the vapor-induced minuscule expansion and contraction of the film surface to produce large-scale actuation, which is fully reversible. The intrinsic water content of the films and the vapor pressure of the stimulants are exploited to control the actuation performance. Further, we demonstrated the 3D shape morphing ability of the actuator by generating an undulating wavelike motion via preprogrammed water and ethanol vapor exposure conditions. The change in the actuation direction is instantaneous, which ensures the sensitivity and rapid response of the fabricated actuators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manikandan Ganesan
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai 600036, India
- Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering & Ceramic Technologies Group, Centre of Excellence in Materials & Manufacturing for Futuristic Mobility, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai 600036, India
| | - Ravi Kumar
- Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering & Ceramic Technologies Group, Centre of Excellence in Materials & Manufacturing for Futuristic Mobility, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai 600036, India
| | - Dillip K Satapathy
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai 600036, India
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12
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Meena RK, Rapaka SD, Pratoori R, Annabattula RK, Ghosh P. An embedded interface regulates the underwater actuation of solvent-responsive soft grippers. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:372-381. [PMID: 34889930 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01229k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we report the role of an embedded interface between two polymer thin films in determining the overall folding and actuation characteristics of a bilayer system applied for gripping submerged objects. Along with the material properties and geometry of the individual films involved, the strength of the embedded interface governs the folding behaviour of the bilayer when exposed to a solvent. The concentration gradient developed across the film thickness when exposed to the solvent results in the deformation of the film. The evolution of concentration through the film thickness as a function of time is closely related to the interface strength. It affects various aspects of the deformation, such as the direction of folding, curvature attained, and actuation rate. In this work, we have varied the strength of the interface between solvent responsive chitosan and hydrophobic Poly(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA) by treating the substrate (chitosan) with varying concentrations of silane before coating. Experimentally, the folding characteristics of the solvent responsive bilayer films have been investigated for four different interfacial strengths. A coupled diffusion-deformation model for the film and a cohesive zone model for the interface is developed to provide insights into the underlying mechanism behind the observations made. Finally, the application of the bilayer as a gripper for submerged objects for two different types of interfaces is demonstrated. Interestingly, in this approach, the medium where the object is immersed acts as a trigger for folding the grippers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Kumar Meena
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India.
| | - Sri Datta Rapaka
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India.
| | - Raghunandan Pratoori
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Ratna Kumar Annabattula
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India.
- Center for Responsive Soft Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Pijush Ghosh
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
- Center for Responsive Soft Matter, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
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Murali A, Ganesan M, Satapathy DK, Kumar PBS. Penetrant-Induced Glass-like Transition in Thin Chitosan Films. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:12617-12626. [PMID: 34730977 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c07903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We present the water vapor-induced swelling and the emergence of a penetrant-induced glass-like transition in the substrate-supported glassy chitosan thin films. The time evolution of the film thickness under different levels of relative humidity conditions is measured in real-time using a spectroscopic ellipsometer equipped with a humidity cell. In a dry film, the network of chitosan chains is in a glassy state, and upon exposure to water vapor, initially, the film swells by Fickian diffusion of water molecules, which triggers the structural relaxations of the chains. Under higher humidity conditions, a relatively slower evolution of thickness succeeds the initial rapid swelling due to the non-Fickian sorption of water molecules. The swelling characteristics of the polymer films are accounted for by considering the diffusion-relaxation mechanism of chains in the presence of smaller penetrant molecules. The penetrant-induced glass-like transition (Pg), where the polymer film isothermally transits from a glassy to a rubbery state, is determined for pristine and cross-linked chitosan films. Pg is determined from the abrupt change in the rate of swelling observed upon increasing the relative humidity. Chemical crosslinking has an evident influence on the penetrant-induced glass-like transition of the chitosan films. Pg was found to rise sharply for stiffer films with higher cross-linking density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aathira Murali
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad, Kanjikode, Kerala 678623, India
| | - Manikandan Ganesan
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics and Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Dillip K Satapathy
- Soft Materials Laboratory, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - P B Sunil Kumar
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad, Kanjikode, Kerala 678623, India
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14
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Liquid-induced topological transformations of cellular microstructures. Nature 2021; 592:386-391. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03404-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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15
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Pervin R, Ghosh P, Basavaraj MG. Engineering polymer film porosity for solvent triggered actuation. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:2900-2912. [PMID: 33587086 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01772h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We report a novel approach for the fabrication of porous polymer films and their self-folding behavior in response to water. In this approach, the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films of tunable porosity are prepared by direct casting of aqueous PVA solution into a nonsolvent, isopropyl alcohol (IPA). The method developed is simple, efficient and low-cost. The results presented provide a modular route to tune the distribution of pores across the film thickness by varying the volume of nonsolvent and the polymer solution. We show that asymmetric porous polymer films (which consist of pores across a certain thickness of the film in the plane perpendicular to its surface) as well as symmetric porous polymer films (which have pores across the entire film) can be fabricated by this versatile method. The percentage of pores in the polymer film calculated as , where tp is the thickness of the film across which the pores exist and ttotal is the total thickness of the film, can be tuned over a wide range. The emanated porous PVA films are found to show self-folding behaviour in response to water. Our results indicate that the pore architecture in the films significantly enhances the actuation speed. The self-folding originating due to the diffusion of water molecules across the film is observed to occur in a controlled and predictable manner for the films with 60% pores and above. A detailed study of the folding characteristics and actuation speed in relation to folding time is substantiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumiaya Pervin
- Polymer Engineering and Colloid Science Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India. and Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India.
| | - Pijush Ghosh
- Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India.
| | - Madivala G Basavaraj
- Polymer Engineering and Colloid Science Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India.
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Anju VP, Pratoori R, Gupta DK, Joshi R, Annabattula RK, Ghosh P. Controlled shape morphing of solvent free thermoresponsive soft actuators. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:4162-4172. [PMID: 32319974 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00020e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
High performance thermoresponsive soft, controllable and reversible actuators are highly desirable for diverse applications. The practical implementation of the existing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNipam) based soft thermoresponsive actuators faces serious limitations due to their functional requirement of proximal bulk solvent medium. In this work, addressing this issue, we report the development of a bilayer based actuator composed of a solvent responsive biodegradable polymer and temperature responsive pNipam. The designed bilayer is capable of achieving reversible and irreversible actuation as needed when exposed to a physiological range of body temperature, without any solvent bath around. The solvent or water supplied by the pNipam layer at its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) builds a concentration gradient across the thickness of the polymer layer. The concentration gradient results in a strain gradient, causing an out-of-plane folding of the bilayer. The underlying coupled diffusion-deformation interaction during folding and unfolding is incorporated in the reported finite element model, capable of predicting actuation characteristics under different initial conditions. The combined experimental and modelling effort in this work highlights the possibility of engineering 2-dimensional films into complex 3-dimensional shapes, which could have potential applications in soft machines and robotics.
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Lin H, Zhang S, Xiao Y, Zhang C, Zhu J, Dunlop JWC, Yuan J. Organic Molecule-Driven Polymeric Actuators. Macromol Rapid Commun 2019; 40:e1800896. [PMID: 30811751 DOI: 10.1002/marc.201800896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Inspired by the motions of plant tissues in response to external stimuli, significant attention has been devoted to the development of actuating polymeric materials. In particular, polymeric actuators driven by organic molecules have been designed due to their combined superiorities of tunable functional monomers, designable chemical structures, and variable structural anisotropy. Here, the recent progress is summarized in terms of material synthesis, structure design, polymer-solvent interaction, and actuating performance. In addition, various possibilities for practical applications, including the ability to sense chemical vapors and solvent isomers, and future directions to satisfy the requirement of sensing and smart systems are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics and Institute of Advanced Materials, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Suyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Yan Xiao
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Chenjun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics and Institute of Advanced Materials, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jixin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics and Institute of Advanced Materials, Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - John W C Dunlop
- Morphophysics Group, Department of the Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Salzburg, 5020, Austria
| | - Jiayin Yuan
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, Stockholm, 10691, Sweden
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Mathesan S, Tripathy M, Srivastava A, Ghosh P. Non-affine deformation of free volume during strain dependent diffusion in polymer thin films. POLYMER 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2018.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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