Electromechanical response of nanostructured polymer systems with no mechanical pre-strain

A dielectric elastomer derived from a polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-block-polystyrene triblock copolymer swollen with a midblock-selective solvent is reported to show promise as a nanostructured organic actuator requiring no pre-strain. This might provide an attractive alternative to conventional acrylic, siloxane, and polyurethane elastomers since the electromechanical properties are composition-tunable. [GRAPHICS] properties of the solution. A reversible conversion between superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity can be performed in a short time. The strategy used here may provide an easy method to control the wettability of smart surfaces. by using properties of low-cost functional polymers. [GRAPHICS] in situ reduction, a large number of metal-based functional materials can be prepared. PVP is alkaline, and thus capable of catalyzing the sol-gel process to generate an inorganic shell. Furthermore, pre-formed nanoparticles can also be absorbed by the shell through specific interactions. The PS core is not infiltrative during synthesis, and hollow rings can be derived after the polymer templates are removed. [GRAPHICS] b