Multi-functional stimuli-responsive biomimetic flower assembled from CLCE and MOF-based pedals

Simulating the structures and behaviors of living organisms are of great significance to develop novel multi-functional intelligent devices. However, the development of biomimetic devices with complex de -formable structures and synergistic properties is still on the way. Herein, we propose a simple and ef-fective approach to create the multi-functional stimuli-responsive biomimetic devices with independently pre-programmable colorful visual patterns, complex geometries and morphable modes. The metal organic framework (MOF)-based composite film acts as a rigidity actuation substrate to support and mechanically guide the spatial configuration of the soft chiral nematic liquid crystal elastomer (CLCE) sheet. We can directly program the structural color of the CLCE sheet by adjusting the thickness distribution without tedious chemical modification. By using this coordination strategy, we fabricate an artificial flower, which exhibits a synergistic effect of both shape transformation and color change like paeonia 'Coral Sunset' at different flowering stages, and can even perform different flowering behaviors by bending, twisting and curling petals. The assembled bionic flower is innovatively demonstrated to respond to local stimuli of humidity, heat or ultraviolet irradiation. Therefore, the spatial assembly of CLCE combined with func-tional MOF materials has a wide range of potential application in multi-functional integrated artificial systems.(c) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Automated summary

Simulating the structures and behaviors of living organisms is important for developing novel multi-functional intelligent devices. This study proposes a simple and effective approach to create biomimetic devices with independently pre-programmable visual patterns, complex geometries, and morphable modes. By combining a metal organic framework (MOF) and a chiral nematic liquid crystal elastomer (CLCE), the researchers achieved shape transformation and color change in an artificial flower, which could respond to local stimuli.