Recent advances in thiophene-based molecular actuators

Patrick A. Anquetil; Hsiao-hua Yu; John David Madden; Timothy M. Swager; Ian Warwick Hunter

doi:10.1117/12.484412

28 July 2003 Recent advances in thiophene-based molecular actuators

Patrick A. Anquetil, Hsiao-hua Yu, John David Madden, Timothy M. Swager, Ian Warwick Hunter

Proceedings Volume 5051, Smart Structures and Materials 2003: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD); (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.484412
Event: Smart Structures and Materials, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A new class of molecular actuators where bulk actuation mechanisms such as ion intercalation are enhanced by controllable single molecule conformational rearrangements offers great promise to exhibit large active strains at moderate stresses. Initial activation of poly(quarterthiophene) based molecular muscles, for example, show active strains in the order of 20%. Molecular rearrangements in these conjugated polymers are believed to be driven by the formation of pi-dimers (e.g. the tendency of pi orbitals to align due to Pauli’s exclusion principle) upon oxidation of the material creating thermodynamically stable molecular aggregates. Such thiophene based polymers, however, suffer from being brittle and difficult to handle. Polymer composites of the active polymer with a sulfated polymeric anion were therefore created and studied to increase the mechanical robustness of the films. This additional polyelectrolyte is a Sulfated Poly-Beta-Hydroxy Ether (S-PHE) designed to form a supporting elastic matrix for the new contractile compounds. Co-deposition of the polyanion with the conducting polymer material provides an elastic mechanical support to the relatively stiff conjugated polymer molecules, thus reducing film brittleness. The active properties of such poly(quarterthiophene)/S-PHE polymer actuator composites based on intrinsic molecular contractile units are presented and discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Patrick A. Anquetil, Hsiao-hua Yu, John David Madden, Timothy M. Swager, and Ian Warwick Hunter "Recent advances in thiophene-based molecular actuators", Proc. SPIE 5051, Smart Structures and Materials 2003: Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD), (28 July 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.484412

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