Title: Multiple Shape Manipulation of Azobenzene-Containing Polyimide by Combining Shape Memory Effect, Photofixity, and Photodeformation

Author: Xuejie Sun, Menghan Zhang, Jia Wei*, Yanlei Yu*

Journal: ACS Macro Lett., 2023, 12, 921–927

Abstract:

The integration of different shape manipulation could greatly expand the versatility and functionality of smart materials, for which the achievement of synergism of different shape control is crucial. Here, we seek to create one kind of polyimide with integrated multiple shape manipulations by constructing the chemical network bearing azobenzene as a side chain. Trifunctional cross-linkers serving as net points of the chemical network render polyimide thermal-induced shape memory effects, which enables shape transformation. Azobenzene as a photoresponsive group is employed to achieve the photofixity and reversible photodeformability. Such photosensitive behaviors are independent of molecular prealignment and remain available after thermally shaping and fixing. As a result, these noninterfering performances induced by heat and light allow us to arbitrarily combine them to meet different needs. By integrating different shape manipulations, various shape changes and functional execution are conveniently achieved. The combination of the shape memory effect with photofixity enables the setting of diverse shapes, while the merging of it with reversible deformation facilitates the construction of actuators capable of executing functions. This study provides a new approach for the preparation of multifunctional actuators and has potential applications in the field of intelligent drivers.

论文链接：https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00195

PDF下载：Multiple Shape Manipulation of Azobenzene-Containing Polyimide by Combining Shape Memory Effect, Photofixity, and Photodeformation.pdf

论文速递：

  本工作利用侧链型偶氮苯聚酰亚胺与三官能团交联剂(TAPOB)制备了交联型聚酰亚胺材料，该材料集成多种形状操控的能力，包含热致形状记忆效应，光致形变以及光塑形。三官能团交联剂作为交联网络的固定点赋予材料热致形状记忆效应，可以实现形状的塑造；而偶氮苯基团赋予材料光致形变以及蓝光塑形的能力，以此实现功能的执行。侧链型聚酰亚胺独特的分子结构使材料无需取向即可形变，避免了热处理对于光致形变的干扰。于此，能够将上述多种形状操控方法任意组合以满足不同的需求。这一优势使得其可以集成多种功能于一体并构筑多功能执行器，包括投石机和螺旋执行器。这项研究为多功能执行器的制备提供了一种新的方法，在智能驱动器领域具有潜在的应用。