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3D-printed liquid metal polymer composites as NIR-responsive 4D printing soft robot

Author

Listed:
  • Liwen Zhang

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Xumin Huang

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Tim Cole

    (University of Birmingham)

  • Hongda Lu

    (The University of Queensland
    University of Wollongong)

  • Jiangyu Hang

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Weihua Li

    (University of Wollongong)

  • Shi-Yang Tang

    (University of Southampton)

  • Cyrille Boyer

    (The University of New South Wales)

  • Thomas P. Davis

    (The University of Queensland)

  • Ruirui Qiao

    (The University of Queensland)

Abstract

4D printing combines 3D printing with nanomaterials to create shape-morphing materials that exhibit stimuli-responsive functionalities. In this study, reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization agents grafted onto liquid metal nanoparticles are successfully employed in ultraviolet light-mediated stereolithographic 3D printing and near-infrared light-responsive 4D printing. Spherical liquid metal nanoparticles are directly prepared in 3D-printed resins via a one-pot approach, providing a simple and efficient strategy for fabricating liquid metal-polymer composites. Unlike rigid nanoparticles, the soft and liquid nature of nanoparticles reduces glass transition temperature, tensile stress, and modulus of 3D-printed materials. This approach enables the photothermal-induced 4D printing of composites, as demonstrated by the programmed shape memory of 3D-printed composites rapidly recovering to their original shape in 60 s under light irradiation. This work provides a perspective on the use of liquid metal-polymer composites in 4D printing, showcasing their potential for application in the field of soft robots.

Suggested Citation

  • Liwen Zhang & Xumin Huang & Tim Cole & Hongda Lu & Jiangyu Hang & Weihua Li & Shi-Yang Tang & Cyrille Boyer & Thomas P. Davis & Ruirui Qiao, 2023. "3D-printed liquid metal polymer composites as NIR-responsive 4D printing soft robot," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-43667-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43667-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang Zhang & Hao Wang & Hongtao Wang & John You En Chan & Hailong Liu & Biao Zhang & Yuan-Fang Zhang & Komal Agarwal & Xiaolong Yang & Anupama Sargur Ranganath & Hong Yee Low & Qi Ge & Joel K. W. Yang, 2021. "Structural multi-colour invisible inks with submicron 4D printing of shape memory polymers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
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