Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T13:44:33.597Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Soft Microorigami: Stimuli-Responsive Self-Folding Polymer Films

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2012

Leonid Ionov
Affiliation:
Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Str 6, 01069 Dresden
Svetlana Zakharchenko
Affiliation:
Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Str 6, 01069 Dresden
Georgi Stoychev
Affiliation:
Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Str 6, 01069 Dresden
Evgeni Sperling
Affiliation:
Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Hohe Str 6, 01069 Dresden
Get access

Abstract

Asymmetry is intrinsic to natural systems and is widely used by living organisms for efficient adaptation, mimicry and movement. Polymer bilayers are the example of synthetic asymmetric systems, which are able to generate macroscopic motion and fold by forming different 3D objects such as tubes and capsules. Similar to bimetal films, the polymer bilayer consist of two substances with different swelling properties. One polymer is non-swellable and hydrophobic. Another polymer is water-swellable hydrogel. The folding, which might occur in response to temperature or pH, is caused by swelling of the hydrogel layer. The formed tubes and capsules can be manipulated using magnetic field. Reversible folding and unfolding of the polymer films is applied for reversible capture and release of cells in response to change of temperature and other signals. This novel biomimetic approach can be used for controlled encapsulation and release of microparticles, cells and drugs as well as fabrication of 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Esser-Kahn, A. P., Odom, S. A., Sottos, N. R., White, S. R. and Moore, J. S., Macromolecules 44 (14), 5539-5553 (2011).Google Scholar
2. Ionov, L., Soft Matter 7, 67866791 (2011).Google Scholar
3. Leong, T. G., Zarafshar, A. M. and Gracias, D. H., Small 6 (7), 792-806 (2010).Google Scholar
4. Randhawa, J. S., Kanu, L. N., Singh, G. and Gracias, D. H., Langmuir 26 (15), 12534-12539 (2010).Google Scholar
5. Luchnikov, V., Sydorenko, O. and Stamm, M., Adv. Mater. 17 (9), 1177-+ (2005).Google Scholar
6. Cho, J. H. and Gracias, D. H., Nano Lett. 9 (12), 4049-4052 (2009).Google Scholar
7. Zakharchenko, S., Puretskiy, N., Stoychev, G., Stamm, M. and Ionov, L., Soft Matter 6 (12), 2633-2636 (2010).Google Scholar
8. Maity, D. and Agrawal, D. C., Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 308 (1), 46-55 (2007).Google Scholar
9. Stoychev, G., Puretskiy, N. and Ionov, L., Soft Matter 7, 32773279 (2011).Google Scholar
10. Zakharchenko, S., Sperling, E. and Ionov, L., Biomacromolecules 12 (6), 22112215 (2011).Google Scholar