To take full advantage of sunlight for photomechanical materials, NIR-vis-UV light-responsive actuator films polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC)/graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites were fabricated. The strategy is based on phase transition LCs from nematic to isotropic induced by combination photochemical and photothermal processes in the PDLC/GO nanocomposites. Upon mechanical stretching film, both topological shape change mesogenic alignment occurred separated LC domains, enabling film...

Abstract Swimmers at liquid/air interfaces have drawn enormous attention because of their potential applications. Described herein is one novel light‐driven swimmer based on a bimorph composite structure photoresponsive liquid‐crystalline polymer network and commercially available polyimide (Kapton). The motion the can be controlled by photoirradiation. bilayer‐structured film shows quickly photoinduced bending towards Kapton side upon exposure to UV light, recovers immediately after removal...

A linearly polarized laser beam was used to control nanocylinders self-assembled in an amphiphilic diblock liquid-crystalline copolymer consisting of flexible poly(ethylene oxide) as a hydrophilic block and poly(methacrylate) containing azobenzene moiety the side chain hydrophobic segment. The perfect array achieved, aligned perpendicularly polarization direction actinic light by supramolecular cooperative motions between ordered microphase separation. By simple convenient way photocontrol,...

Molecular iodine has been introduced into the alkali lignin (AL) solutions to adjust π−π aggregation, and effect of lignin−iodine complexes on aggregation assembly characteristics AL have investigated by using fluorescence, UV−vis spectroscopy, light scattering, viscometric techniques. Results show that form aggregates (i.e., J-aggregates) in THF driven interaction aromatic groups AL, undergo disaggregation THF-I2 media because formation charge-transfer complexes. By as a probe investigate...

Famous for their photoisomerization, azobenzene and its derivatives have been intensively studied as among the most fascinating advanced materials. In particular, azobenzene-containing liquid-crystalline polymer (LCP) materials show unique properties by combining self-assembly of liquid crystals photoresponsive performance chromophores. Here, we highlight intriguing potential applications from photonics to photodriven motion well novel nanotechnology. The features such photochemical phase...

Photoresponsive lamina and flexible graphene oxide/polymer nanocomposite films were fabricated using a simple solution casting method. Fast, stable, reversible photomechanical behavior of the upon irradiation with visible light was observed based on photothermal effect oxide shape memory polymer matrix. According to principle equilibrium apparatus, light-powered tumbler movement achieved in these by imitating structure wobbly man. Although photodriven contraction, expansion, bending,...

A series of photomechanical fibers was fabricated with a thermal drawing method by using liquid-crystalline random copolymers containing azobenzene and biphenyl groups in side chain. After being post-cross-linked under mild conditions, these showed photoinduced bending motion away from the light source even though homogeneous alignment mesogens observed along direction. This abnormal deformation obtained is far different previously reported light-directed motions about fiber film materials....

Recyclable, fast and visible-light responsive polymer-dispersed liquid crystal/graphene oxide nanocomposite films were fabricated by solution casting mechanical stretching.

A series of photoresponsive halogen-bonded liquid crystals (LCs) were successfully constructed using molecular halogen and azopyridine compounds, which show interesting properties photoinduced phase transition upon UV irradiation.

A variety of defects exist on the crystalline surfaces solution-processed polycrystalline perovskites, resulting in photovoltaic output losses and subsequent degradations. It is necessary to develop a versatile passivator that can concurrently eliminate multiple defects, including vacancy, interstitial, antisite substitution, dissociative I2. Herein, we focus multiple-defect management optimize defective perovskite by using three kinds chemical bonds with pyridine-containing polymeric agent....

A programmable and biomimetic bilayer actuator enabled by a photo-liquefiable azobenzene derivative.

We report the fabrication of a robust, transparent, and superhydrophobic organic–inorganic composite coating with simple, low-cost, effective, environmentally friendly characteristics. First, waterborne polyurethane (WPU) emulsion silica fluoride (F-SiO2) nanoparticle dispersion were synthesized. Subsequently, surfaces low surface energy constructed by spraying, in order, WPU F-SiO2 on substrates. The robust had superhydrophobicity good optical transparency, which provided strongly adhesive...

Abstract Controllable storage and release of solar energy has always been a highlighted scientific issue for its benefit mankind. Solar thermal fuels (STFs) supply closed cycle renewable energy‐storage strategy by transforming into chemical stored in the conformation molecular isomers, such as cis / trans ‐azobenzene, releasing it heat under various stimuli. Although potential high density STFs which are based on hybrids azobenzene derivatives carbon nanomaterials reported solvent‐assistant...

Mechanical swing is common in nature, such as sound waves, wingbeat of birds, and heartbeat, which important to convert input energy into continuous motion. Here, we report a photodriven actuator composed commercially available polyimide (Kapton) azobenzene-containing liquid-crystalline polymers. The polymers act the photoactive layer, were synthesized by copolymerization one benzenecarboxylic acid-containing monomer (M6BCOOH) (M6ABOC2) with different molar ratios. Kapton layer high elastic...

Light-activated self-oscillators have drawn enormous attention for their potential applications in mobile machines, energy harvesting, signal modulation, etc. Herein, we report one graphene oxide (GO)/liquid crystalline network (LCN) actuator that presents a unique light-activated oscillation with amplitude and frequency superposition. The GO/LCN composite film is prepared by the one-step polymerization of LC monomers, which favors splay orientation cells made gluing together two glass...

Human skin is a remarkable example of biological material that displays unique mechanical characters both soft elasticity and stretchability. However, mimicking these features has been absent in photoresponsive matters. Here, we present one synthetic ABA-type triblock copolymer consisting polystyrene as end blocks azopolymer the middle block, which stiffness at room temperature shows phototunable transition to elastics athermally. We have synthesized an term "photoinduced elastomer," where...

Abstract Transition metal‐nitrogen‐carbon (M‐N‐C) catalysts with CoN 4 centers have attracted great attention as a potential alternative to precious metal for bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis. However, the asymmetric charge environment of active site MN obtained by conventional pyrolysis strategy makes unbalanced adsorption molecules, which restricts activities both evolution reaction (OER) and reduction (ORR). Herein, series well‐defined quasi‐phthalocyanine conjugated 2D covalent...