Effect of 3D Printing Parameters on Self-Driven Deformation Characteristics of Intelligent Hydrogel Actuators

摘要

abstract_textpBy changing printing parameters, a serious of hydrogel actuators with high mechanical strength and multiple deformation were successfully prepared through three-dimensional (3D) printing. Base on the enhancement role of cross-linking density of hydrogel inks, nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) was treated as reinforcement phase to realize controllable regulation of rheology characteristics. With the increase of NFC content, stress and strain values of hydrogels increased gradually. Attributed to swelling rate and gel-sol transition point, hydrogel with 12 mg/mL NFC was treated as 3D printing ink. The 3D printing parameters significantly affected self-driven deformations. The hydrogel actuators with 0 degrees/90 degrees, 45 degrees/135 degrees and Archimedes chord configurations owned bending, spiral and twist deformations, respectively. The hydrogel actuators with relative larger length-width ratio exhibited higher spiral degree. The high precise anisotropic swelling property of printed bilayer structure was the self-driven deformation mechanism of hydrogel actuators. The combination of hydrogels and 3D printing extended the application of intelligent hydrogels./p/abstract_text