Construction of a photothermal Venus flytrap from conductive polymer bimorphs

A photothermally foldable soft bimorph was prepared via the dry transfer of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with tosylate onto a poly(dimethylsiloxane) film. The photothermal folding was optimized via reversible actuation by controlling the thickness of each layer and the temperature increase to afford large deflection and displacement up to 150 degrees and >20 mm, respectively, upon exposure to near-infrared (NIR) light (808 nm). A two-dimensional array of the bimorph converted into complex three-dimensional architectures, such as a Venus flytrap, under light and reversibly unfolded in the dark. Taking advantage of the photothermal nature of PEDOT, a localized heat pocket was generated inside the folding structure. Thus, a Venus flytrap with a hot pocket reaching 100 degrees C was realized for the first time. The Venus flytrap could trap and move an object within a few seconds of NIR exposure.