Journal
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
Volume 31, Issue 4, Pages -Publisher
WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202006969
Keywords
electro-responsive materials; multiphysics; polyampholytes; smart materials; stimuli-responsive polymers
Categories
Funding
- U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences [DE-SC0019141]
- National Science Foundation [ACI-1548562]
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) [DE-SC0019141] Funding Source: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The mechanical properties of polyelectrolytes can be modulated by electric fields, but the sensitivity to charge distribution is key, charges must be tightly attached to the polymer backbone, and responsivity is greater if a single backbone contains both positive and negative charges. The dominant mechanisms are reorientation and stretching of the polymer chains, which also elongate the ionic clusters to maintain strong electrostatic interactions throughout deformation.
Multifunctionality in polymers facilitates their application in emerging technologies. Electrical fields are a preferred stimulus because of the speed and ease of application to bulk polymers. While a wide range of electrically triggered actuators are developed, and electrically controlled adhesion between gels is demonstrated, modification of bulk mechanical properties via electrical stimuli remains elusive. Polymers with covalently incorporated ionic charge (polyelectrolytes) should be well suited to achieving this goal since the mechanical properties depend on electrostatic interactions and these charges are intrinsically susceptible to electric fields. Molecular dynamics simulations are utilized here to investigate whether electric fields can modulate the mechanical properties of polyelectrolytes and to understand the governing mechanisms. Mechanical property modulation by electric field is found to be sensitive to the charge distribution-charges must be tightly attached to the polymer backbone, and responsivity is greater if a single backbone contains both positive and negative charges. The dominant mechanisms are reorientation and stretching of the polymer chains, which also elongate the ionic clusters to maintain strong electrostatic interactions throughout deformation. These insights are critical for future experimental realization of polymers with electric field regulated mechanical properties.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available