Abstract
Intelligent friction and lubrication technologies have attracted widespread interest in the fields of surface engineering, smart fluids and mechanical transmission. Here, we show reversible light-controlled friction in a photorheological fluid composed of azobenzene oligomers. The viscosity of the azobenzene oligomer solution irradiated by ultraviolet light was 19.0% higher than that irradiated with near-infrared light. The friction coefficient upon near-infrared irradiation was up to 3.62 times that under ultraviolet light. The higher friction was ascribed to the poor film forming capacity of the photosensitive rheological fluid and the higher shear resistance of the azobenzene oligomer adsorption layer upon near infrared irradiation. This light-controlled friction and viscosity could inspire more novel applications in self-adaptive liquids, photosensitive dampers, intelligent braking and fluid pipe transportation.
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