Bending motion induced by near-infrared laser irradiation of polymer films made by UV-curable liquid crystalline monomer containing gold-coated fine particles

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. A. Physical. Vol. 377; p. 115770
• Main Authors: Shimono, Takumi, Guo, Haoxuan, Aota, Hiroyuki, Yamamoto, Takahiro, Monobe, Hirosato
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 16.10.2024
• Subjects: Actuating; Gold-coated fine particle; Near-infrared light; Photothermal effect; UV-curable liquid crystalline monomer; Photothermal effect; UV-curable liquid crystalline monomer; Near-infrared light; Gold-coated fine particle; Actuating
• ISSN: 0924-4247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2024.115770

Polymer films made by UV-curable liquid crystalline (LC) monomer have both characters of the external stimulus responsiveness of LC and flexibility of polymer chains. Therefore, polymer film made by UV-curable LC monomer are expected as soft actuators. By incorporating photothermal conversion materials in polymer film, the macro shape of film can be controlled by light irradiation. In this study, a polymer film made by UV-curable LC monomer containing gold-coated fine particles was prepared and its bending motion induced by near-infrared laser irradiation was studied. When the film is irradiated with near-infrared laser, it bends. We also investigated the dependence of the concentration and distribution of gold-coated fine particles in the film, and irradiation time and intensity for the bending displacement. [Display omitted] •A polymer film made by UV-curable liquid crystalline monomer (LCP) with gold-coated particles actuator system is presented.•Actuator bends with harmless near infrared light irradiation.•Sedimentation of photoconversion materials and photopolymerization temperature of LCP is important for bending motion.•Actuators can generate sufficient strain for practical applications.•Actuators can be used in many human friendly applications.