Abstract
A printable hybrid hydrogel is fabricated by embedding poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) microparticles within a water-rich silica-alumina(Si/Al)-based gel matrix. The hybrid gel holds water content of up to 70 wt%, due to its unique Si/Al matrix. The hybrid hydrogel can respond to both heat and electrical stimuli, and can be directly printed layer-by-layer using a commercial 3-dimensional printer, without requiring any curing. The hybrid ink is printed onto a transparent, flexible conductive electrode composed of silver nanoparticles and sustains bending angles of up to 180°, which enables patterning of various flexible devices such as smart windows and a 3D optical waveguide valve.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1705365 |
Journal | Advanced Functional Materials |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 28 Feb 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Keywords
- 3D printing
- PNIPAm
- hydrogels
- smart windows
- thermochromics