Light-stimulated paper/polymer bilayer actuators incorporated with photosensitizers for enhanced actuation

Abstract

Photostimulated actuators can be remotely actuated and operated at high speed, making them potential candidates for soft robotics. In this study, a paper-based actuator activated solely by light was developed for weight lifting. A polymer blend, primarily made of agarose-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS), as a photosensitizer, MXenes and methylene blue (MB) was employed on a paper substrate to produce a bilayer structure using a paintbrush technique. The resultant paper/polymer bilayer actuator was activated by light and showed effective bending and weight-lifting capabilities, which can contribute to wireless paper soft robotics and biohybrid robots.