Abstract
Chemo-mechanical phenomena, including oscillations and peristaltic motions, are widespread in nature—just think of heartbeats—thanks to the ability of living organisms to convert directly chemical energy into mechanical work. Their imitation with artificial systems is still an open challenge. Chemical clocks and oscillators (such as the popular Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction) are reaction networks characterized by the emergence of peculiar spatiotemporal dynamics. Their application to polymers at interfaces (grafted chains, layer-by-layer assemblies, and polymer brushes) offers great opportunities for developing novel smart biomimetic materials. Despite the wide field of potential applications, limited research has been carried out so far. Here, we aim to showcase the state-of-the-art of this fascinating field of investigation, highlighting the potential for future developments and providing a personal outlook.
Highlights
The development of novel functional materials through bioinspired or biomimetic approaches is based on the study of natural, biogenic structures and their imitation by artificial materials, usually with the goal of replicating desirable properties [1,2]. the natural world provides countless inspiration models for the design and development of novel materials, the synthesis of artificial systems capable of responding to stimuli in a controllable and predictable way still faces significant challenges
Artificial systems based on conventional stimuli-responsive polymers and gels need to be actuated by an externally controlled on-off switching of stimuli
Mechanical oscillations induced by an oscillating reaction in a system of surface-grafted polymer chains were first described in 2006 by Ito et al [57]
Summary
The development of novel functional materials through bioinspired or biomimetic approaches is based on the study of natural, biogenic structures and their imitation by artificial materials, usually with the goal of replicating desirable properties [1,2]. The natural world provides countless inspiration models for the design and development of novel materials, the synthesis of artificial systems capable of responding to stimuli in a controllable and predictable way still faces significant challenges. In this regard, it is especially difficult to mimic biological systems in which orchestrated responsive behaviors are generated by structural and compositional gradients at various length scales. Artificial systems based on conventional stimuli-responsive polymers and gels need to be actuated by an externally controlled on-off switching of stimuli As such, they provide only one action, such as either expanding or collapsing, towards a stable equilibrium state (Figure 1a).
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