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Fast response dry-type artificial molecular muscles with [c2]daisy chains

Nature Chemistry volume 8, pages 625–632 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Hierarchically organized myosin and actin filaments found in biological systems exhibit contraction and expansion behaviours that produce work and force by consuming chemical energy. Inspired by these naturally occurring examples, we have developed photoresponsive wet- and dry-type molecular actuators built from rotaxane-based compounds known as [c2]daisy chains (specifically, [c2]AzoCD2 hydrogel and [c2]AzoCD2 xerogel). These actuators were prepared via polycondensation between four-armed poly(ethylene glycol) and a [c2]daisy chain based on α-cyclodextrin as the host component and azobenzene as a photoresponsive guest component. The light-induced actuation arises from the sliding motion of the [c2]daisy chain unit. Ultraviolet irradiation caused the gels to bend towards the light source. The response of the [c2]AzoCD2 xerogel, even under dry conditions, is very fast (7° every second), which is 10,800 times faster than the [c2]AzoCD2 hydrogel (7° every 3 h). In addition, the [c2]AzoCD2 xerogel was used as a crane arm to lift an object using ultraviolet irradiation to produce mechanical work.

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Figure 1: Chemical structure of polymeric gels with the photoresponsive property in this study.
Figure 2: Schematic illustration of the preparation of the [c2]daisy chain ([c2]DMTAzoCD2) as a model compound and as a hydrogel.
Figure 3: Photoresponsive properties of the [c2]AzoCD2 hydrogel and the azo hydrogel.
Figure 4: Photoresponsive hydrogel actuators in water.
Figure 5: Photoresponsive xerogel actuators under dry conditions.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the ImPACT Program of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (Cabinet Office, Government of Japan), a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas of ‘Fusion Materials: Creative Development of Materials and Exploration of Their Function through Molecular Control’ (no. 2206), a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (no. 26288062) from MEXT of Japan and a Research Grant Program of the Asahi Glass Foundation. The authors thank N. Inazumi (Osaka University) for advice regarding the field gradient magic angle spinning NMR spectral measurements.

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  1. Department of Macromolecular Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, 560-0043, Osaka, Japan

    Kazuhisa Iwaso, Yoshinori Takashima & Akira Harada

  2. JST-ImPACT, Chiyoda-ku, 100-8914, Tokyo, Japan

    Akira Harada

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  1. Kazuhisa Iwaso
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Contributions

A.H. and Y.T. conceived and directed the study. K.I. performed syntheses and spectroscopic studies. All authors contributed to characterizations and discussion. A.H. and Y.T. co-wrote the paper. A.H. oversaw the project and contributed to the execution of the experiments and interpretation of the results.

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Correspondence to Akira Harada.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Iwaso, K., Takashima, Y. & Harada, A. Fast response dry-type artificial molecular muscles with [c2]daisy chains. Nature Chem 8, 625–632 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.2513

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