Interfacial Fabrication of CNTs/PVDF Bilayer Actuator with Fast Responses to the Light and Organic Solvent Vapor Stimuli

A multiple stimuli-responsive actuator with an ability of rapid and sensitive responding is highly desirable for the development of biomimetic actuation applications. Herein, a bilayer actuator with fast and sensitive responses to acetone vapor and light stimuli is reported based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane with a hierarchical porosity and macroscopic carbon nanotubes (CNTs) assembled film. The CNTs film with uniform and tunable thickness is prepared by a macroscopic interfacial assembly strategy and transferred integrally onto the PVDF membrane. Under the infrared light, this CNTs/PVDF bilayer actuator can bend rapidly within 1 s and generate large stress. Moreover, for the acetone vapor stimuli, the actuator bends within 0.19 s and also reverses in 1.24 s to the initial state, showing sensitive and fast responses to acetone stimuli, as well as outstanding stability and repeatability.

Automated summary

The bilayer actuator based on PVDF membrane and CNTs film shows rapid and sensitive responses to acetone vapor and light stimuli. Under infrared light, the actuator can bend rapidly within 1 second and generate large stress; for acetone vapor stimuli, it responds quickly with outstanding stability and repeatability.