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Sagnelli D, D’Avino A, Rippa M, Vestri A, Marchesano V, Nenna G, Villani F, Ardila G, Centi S, Ratto F, Petti L. Photomobile Polymer-Piezoelectric Composite for Enhanced Actuation and Energy Generation. ACS APPLIED OPTICAL MATERIALS 2023; 1:1651-1660. [PMID: 37915969 PMCID: PMC10616835 DOI: 10.1021/acsaom.3c00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we present an innovative approach to increase the quantum yield and wavelength sensitivity of photomobile polymer (PMP) films based on azobenzene by doping the polymer matrix with noble metal nanoparticles. These doped PMP films showed faster and more significant bending under both UV as well as visible and near-infrared light regardless of whether it was coherent, incoherent, polarized, or unpolarized irradiation, expanding the potential of PMP-based actuators. To illustrate their practical implications, we created a proof-of-concept model of power generation by coupling it to flexible piezoelectric materials under simulated sunlight. This model has been tested under real operating conditions, thus demonstrating the possibility of generating electricity with variable light exposure. Additionally, our synthetic protocol is solvent-free, which is another benefit of environmental relevance. Our research lays the groundwork for the development of sunlight-sensitive devices, such as photomechanical actuators and advanced photovoltaic modules, which may break ground in the thriving field of smart materials. We are confident that the presented findings will contribute to the ongoing discourse in the field and inspire additional advances in renewable energy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Sagnelli
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
| | - Amalia D’Avino
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
| | - Massimo Rippa
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
| | - Ambra Vestri
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
| | - Valentina Marchesano
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nenna
- Energy
and Sustainable Economic Development, ENEA,
Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Portici Research Centre, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Fulvia Villani
- Energy
and Sustainable Economic Development, ENEA,
Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Portici Research Centre, Portici, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Gustavo Ardila
- CNRS,
Grenoble INP, IMEP-LaHC, Univ. Grenoble
Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, Grenoble F-38000, France
| | - Sonia Centi
- Nello
Carrara Institute of Applied Physics of CNR, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| | - Fulvio Ratto
- Nello
Carrara Institute of Applied Physics of CNR, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy
| | - Lucia Petti
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, Pozzuoli 80072, Italy
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Rodríguez-González RJ, Ramos-Díaz de León A, Hernández-Hernández E, Larios-López L, Ruiz-Martínez AY, Felix-Serrano I, Navarro-Rodríguez D. Enhancement of the photoinduced birefringence and inverse relaxation of a liquid crystal azopolymer by doping with carbon nanostructures. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2022.114342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Sagnelli D, Rippa M, D’Avino A, Vestri A, Marchesano V, Petti L. Development of LCEs with 100% Azobenzene Moieties: Thermo-Mechanical Phenomena and Behaviors. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1665. [PMID: 36296018 PMCID: PMC9607918 DOI: 10.3390/mi13101665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Azobenzene is one of the most investigated photo-responsive liquid crystalline molecules. It can isomerize between two different isoforms, trans (E) and cis (Z) configurations, when stimulated by light. It is used as a molecular engine in photo-mobile materials (PMPs). The use of liquid crystals (LCs) as building blocks enhances the mechanical properties of the PMPs. It is not easy to obtain PMPs with monodomain configurations when the LCs are 100% azobenzene. In this work, we studied three LC mixtures, describing the thermo/mechanical phenomena that regulate the actuation of such materials. The nematic temperature of the LC elastomers was measured and the PMPs carefully characterized for their bending and speed capability. Our finding suggests that the ratio between linear and cross-linker monomer greatly influences the nematic temperature of the mixture. Furthermore, 100% azobenzene materials polymerized using dicumyl peroxide can be useful to design polarization-selective switches.
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