498328 Bio-Inspired Design of Stimuli Responsive Materials Based on a Bilayer Structure

Songshan Zeng1, Rui Li2, Dianyun Zhang2, Wenhan Huang3, Zhaofeng Wang1, Stephan Freire1, Andrew Smith1, Emily Huang1, Helen Nguon1, Xiaoyuan Yu4 and Luyi Sun1, (1)Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Polymer Program, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, (2)Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, (3)Heyuan Polytechnic, Heyuan, China, (4)South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China

A bilayer structure composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or PVA composite thin film atop thick polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate was prepared. The bilayer structure shows dynamic strain-responsive optical properties. The transition between a transparent state to an opaque state can be easily achieved by uni-axially stretching and releasing the device. Also, a series of derivative mechanochromisms with capabilities of switch “on/off” fluorescence, change fluorescent color, reveal/hide information upon mechanical stimuli are prepared. Mechanical or/and moisture responsive wrinkling surface can also be achieved in a similar manner. By altering the chemical structure of the PVA top layer, three different moisture responsive dynamic wrinkling surfaces can be prepared. Selectively inducing chemical modification on the PVA surface can create moisture responsive patterned wrinkles, which can lead to applications in encryption, anti-counterfeit tab, and water indicator for circuits.

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See more of this Session: Multifunctional Composites
See more of this Group/Topical: Materials Engineering and Sciences Division