Light-induced microfluidic chip based on shape memory gold nanoparticles/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites

A shape memory light-induced microfluidic technology is applied in preprogrammed microfluidic chip based on shape memory gold nanoparticles/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites. The shape memory gold nanoparticles/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites display excellent light-induced shape memory property with recovery ratio of nearly 100% in visible light. The crosslinked network of light-induced shape memory gold nanoparticles/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites forms by aldol reaction, esterification, and/or hydrogen bonding of poly (vinyl alcohol), glutaraldehyde, and gold nanoparticles. The light-induced shape memory mechanism of shape memory gold nanoparticles/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites is based on photothermal effect of gold nanoparticles and shape memory effect of poly (vinyl alcohol)based shape memory polymer (SMP). In this report, a light-induced microfluidic microvalve is demonstrated based on the shape memory gold nanoparticles/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites. This research presents demonstration of the shape memory light-induced intelligent microfluidic chip. The light-induced SMP microfluidic microvalve would yield practical, physical, and technological advantages for disposable integrated microfluidic chip laboratories.