3D-printed liquid metal polymer composites as NIR-responsive 4D printing soft robot

Liwen Zhang, Xumin Huang, Tim Cole, Hongda Lu, Jiangyu Hang, Weihua Li, Shi-Yang Tang (), Cyrille Boyer, Thomas P. Davis () and Ruirui Qiao ()
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Liwen Zhang: The University of Queensland
Xumin Huang: The University of Queensland
Tim Cole: University of Birmingham
Hongda Lu: The University of Queensland
Jiangyu Hang: The University of Queensland
Weihua Li: University of Wollongong
Shi-Yang Tang: University of Southampton
Cyrille Boyer: The University of New South Wales
Thomas P. Davis: The University of Queensland
Ruirui Qiao: The University of Queensland

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract 4D printing combines 3D printing with nanomaterials to create shape-morphing materials that exhibit stimuli-responsive functionalities. In this study, reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization agents grafted onto liquid metal nanoparticles are successfully employed in ultraviolet light-mediated stereolithographic 3D printing and near-infrared light-responsive 4D printing. Spherical liquid metal nanoparticles are directly prepared in 3D-printed resins via a one-pot approach, providing a simple and efficient strategy for fabricating liquid metal-polymer composites. Unlike rigid nanoparticles, the soft and liquid nature of nanoparticles reduces glass transition temperature, tensile stress, and modulus of 3D-printed materials. This approach enables the photothermal-induced 4D printing of composites, as demonstrated by the programmed shape memory of 3D-printed composites rapidly recovering to their original shape in 60 s under light irradiation. This work provides a perspective on the use of liquid metal-polymer composites in 4D printing, showcasing their potential for application in the field of soft robots.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43667-4

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