Abstract
Solar energy has been paid more and more attention because of its huge amount and wide sources. A graphene/carbon nanotube aerogel (GNTA) system with three-dimensional porous structure was constructed and impregnated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to obtain GNTA/PDMS composite, reaching the absorption of 98% in the wavelength range of the solar spectrum. Pyrolytic graphite (PG) sheet and biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film were combined with the GNTA/PDMS composite to construct GNTA/PDMS-PG@BOPP photothermal actuator. With the light intensity gradually increased within 1–3 sun, the maximum bending curvature of the actuator reach 0.50 cm−1 in a magnetic field, which was 0.11 cm−1 higher than that in non-magnetic environment, showing low energy dissipation and high energy utilization efficiency. A ‘wingsuit pilot’ actuator and a bionic fish actuator were designed with the GNTA/PDMS-PG@BOPP composites. The actuators could move following the signal of sunlight in a magnetic field, and show deformation because of different thermal expansion properties of layers at the same time. The pre-programmed optical path and actuation could be integrated in this composite which shows great potential in the application of space exploration when exposed to harsh environment.
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