Photomechanical response of composites based on PDMS and carbon soot nanoparticles under IR laser irradiation

We demonstrate a new type of smart composite based on carbon soot nanoparticles (CSP) and Poly(dimethylsiloxane). The addition of CSP in this polymeric matrix yields a composite with photomechanical response triggered by IR laser irradiation. The load capacity of this optically driven material ranged between 10 and 16 kPa depending on the CSP concentration in the composites. These photomechanical actuation features promises a good alternative for low-cost smart composite materials for photonic applications such as optically reconfigurable surfaces and optical actuating-sensing devices. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America