Micro, Nano, and Molecular Systems Article 2014

Swelling and shrinking behaviour of photoresponsive phosphonium-based ionogel microstructures

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Photoresponsive N-isopropylacrylamide ionogel microstructures are presented in this study. These ionogels are synthesised using phosphonium based room temperature ionic liquids, together with the photochromic compound benzospiropyran. The microstructures can be actuated using light irradiation, facilitating non-contact and non-invasive operation. For the first time, the characterisation of the swelling and shrinking behaviour of several photopatterned ionogel microstructures is presented and the influence of surface-area-to-volume ratio on the swelling kinetics is evaluated. It was found that the swelling and shrinking behaviour of the ionogels is strongly dependent on the nature of the ionic liquid. In particular, the {[}P-6,P-6,P-6,P-14]{[}NTf2] ionogel exhibits the greatest degree of swelling, reaching up to 180\% of its initial size, and the fastest shrinkage rate (k(sh) = 29 +/- 4 x 10(-2) s(-1)). (C) 2014 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Author(s): Czugala, Monika and O’Connell, Claire and Blin, Candice and Fischer, Peer and Fraser, Kevin J. and Benito-Lopez, Fernando and Diamond, Dermot
Journal: SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
Volume: 194
Pages: 105-113
Year: 2014
Bibtex Type: Article (article)
DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2013.12.072
Electronic Archiving: grant_archive

BibTex

@article{ISI:000331575400015,
  title = {Swelling and shrinking behaviour of photoresponsive phosphonium-based ionogel microstructures},
  journal = {SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL},
  abstract = {Photoresponsive N-isopropylacrylamide ionogel microstructures are presented in this study. These ionogels are synthesised using phosphonium based room temperature ionic liquids, together with the photochromic compound benzospiropyran. The microstructures can be actuated using light irradiation, facilitating non-contact and non-invasive operation. For the first time, the characterisation of the swelling and shrinking behaviour of several photopatterned ionogel microstructures is presented and the influence of surface-area-to-volume ratio on the swelling kinetics is evaluated. It was found that the swelling and shrinking behaviour of the ionogels is strongly dependent on the nature of the ionic liquid. In particular, the {[}P-6,P-6,P-6,P-14]{[}NTf2] ionogel exhibits the greatest degree of swelling, reaching up to 180\% of its initial size, and the fastest shrinkage rate (k(sh) = 29 +/- 4 x 10(-2) s(-1)). (C) 2014 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.},
  volume = {194},
  pages = {105-113},
  year = {2014},
  slug = {isi-000331575400015},
  author = {Czugala, Monika and O'Connell, Claire and Blin, Candice and Fischer, Peer and Fraser, Kevin J. and Benito-Lopez, Fernando and Diamond, Dermot}
}