Fast and Large Motion of Self-oscillating Gels based on High Diffusivity Induced by Phase-separated Structures
발표자
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초록
내용
Unlike conventional stimuli-responsive gels, self-oscillating gels can spontaneously repeat swelling/deswelling without on-off switching of external stimuli. This mechanical oscillation is achieved by inducing the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. We designed novel self-oscillating gels showing fast and large deformation by tuning the internal structure of the gels. Using the collapsed form of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in a salt solution, phase-separated structures that allow for rapid and large shrinkage of the gel can be synthesized. Also, our phase-separated gels can oscillate even in a highly viscous solution owing to its high diffusivity. Furthermore, our gel functions as a water pump, absorbing and expelling water according to the flow of the oxidation wavelength. As a result, it shows the behavior of the swimming actuator moving forward in a specific direction.