Bioinspired Anisotropic Hydrogel Actuators with On–Off Switchable and Color‐Tunable Fluorescence Behaviors

Abstract

AbstractAn effective approach to develop a novel macroscopic anisotropic bilayer hydrogel actuator with on–off switchable fluorescent color‐changing function is reported. Through combining a collapsed thermoresponsive graphene oxide‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (GO‐PNIPAM) hydrogel layer with a pH‐responsive perylene bisimide‐functionalized hyperbranched polyethylenimine (PBI‐HPEI) hydrogel layer via macroscopic supramolecular assembly, a bilayer hydrogel is obtained that can be tailored and reswells to form a 3D hydrogel actuator. The actuator can undergo complex shape deformation caused by the PNIPAM outside layer, then the PBI‐HPEI hydrogel inside layer can be unfolded to trigger the on–off switch of the pH‐responsive fluorescence under the green light irradiation. This work will inspire the design and fabrication of novel biomimetic smart materials with synergistic functions.