Efficient fabrication of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/graphene composite actuators with robust superhydrophobicity and excellent photothermal performance for controllable light-driven motion

Abstract

The Marangoni effect has garnered significant interest as a promising method for non-contact, remote-controlled actuation. Despite the numerous advantages it offers, the high cost and complex fabrication procedures associated with the technology have limited its widespread application. To address these limitations, an industrialized polymer processing strategy that combines melt blending and hydrophobic modification is proposed for the large-scale and cost-effective production of lightweight poly(vinylidene fluoride)/graphene nanosheets foam with a three-dimensional interconnected network. The foam displays excellent superhydrophobic properties, including a contact angle of 155 ± 2° and a rolling angle of 7 ± 3°. Furthermore, the foam is durable under a variety of conditions, including dynamic impact, high temperatures, acidic and alkaline environments, knife scratching, abrasion damage, and tape peeling. Additionally, the foam displays stable photothermal conversion performance due to the uniform dispersion of graphene nanosheets throughout the polymer matrix. When used as a light-driven actuator, the foam demonstrates the ability to achieve on-demand driving as well as swimming route planning at the water–air interface. The proposed method offers a promising solution for the efficient fabrication of light-driven actuators that are both adapted to practical applications and resistant to external damages.