Multicolor Fluorescent Polymeric Actuator with Self-Sustained Oscillation Behavior

Soft fluorescent polymeric films are receiving increasing attention in the fields of sensing, display, information encryption, and so on. However, a few attempts are conducted to heterogeneously integrate fluorescent polymeric films with other soft polymeric materials into topology-optimized architectures (e.g., bilayer and pattern), which may lead to as-yet-unimagined performance. Herein, the synthesis of novel multicolor fluorescent polymeric films is presented via dynamic lanthanide coordination, followed by the fabrication of bilayer actuators with unique self-sustained oscillation behavior. The polymeric films are prepared from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) oligomer containing 2,6-pyridinediimine ligands that can chelate with Eu3+/Tb3+ ions to trigger vivid red/bluish green fluorescence via antenna effect. After being further interfacially engineered with pan paper, fluorescent bilayer actuators are prepared, which display reversible 2D/3D shape deformation in response to environmental temperature changes owing to the mismatch between thermal expansion abilities of two layers. Interestingly, when placing the bilayer actuator with one end fixed near a constant heat source, quite unique self-sustained oscillation behavior is observed, which encourages to explore their potential applications as dynamic alarming devices. The present study broadens the list of fluorescent polymeric films and suggests the huge potential of multimaterial integration to develop powerful functional materials with versatile uses