Triple energy conversion cascade in a densely charged redox active covalent organic actuator
Abstract Development of efficient actuators and understanding of their mechanisms are crucial for progress in areas such as soft robotics and artificial muscles. Here, we report a self-standing film of an ionic covalent organic framework (V 2+ –TG) composed of cationic guanidinium and viologen linke...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60257-8 |
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| author | Bikash Garai Gobinda Das Connor M. Duncan Hany F. Nour Farah Benyettou Thirumurugan Prakasam Sabu Varghese Houeida Issa Hamoud Mohamad El-Roz Jose Ignacio Martinez Felipe Gándara Mark A. Olson Ali Trabolsi |
| author_facet | Bikash Garai Gobinda Das Connor M. Duncan Hany F. Nour Farah Benyettou Thirumurugan Prakasam Sabu Varghese Houeida Issa Hamoud Mohamad El-Roz Jose Ignacio Martinez Felipe Gándara Mark A. Olson Ali Trabolsi |
| author_sort | Bikash Garai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Development of efficient actuators and understanding of their mechanisms are crucial for progress in areas such as soft robotics and artificial muscles. Here, we report a self-standing film of an ionic covalent organic framework (V 2+ –TG) composed of cationic guanidinium and viologen linkers, which shows an instantaneous and reversible photoactuation. Upon UV light exposure, the film deflects by 100 ° in less than 3 s, through a triple energy conversion cascade, where light is first converted into chemical energy via intramolecular charge transfer, then to thermal energy, and finally into mechanical energy, causing the film to bend. The localized heat induces water molecule elimination, creating a hydrogen bonding gradient between the two surfaces of the film, triggering the bending. Actuation property of the film is modulated by varying film thickness, light intensity, and humidity. The film also demonstrates practical potential for applications like lifting payloads, heating, and surface deicing where ice accumulation poses operational risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-75bd5105d5b74c3c8f6ddeca4f18bcb7 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-75bd5105d5b74c3c8f6ddeca4f18bcb72025-08-20T02:03:32ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-05-0116111210.1038/s41467-025-60257-8Triple energy conversion cascade in a densely charged redox active covalent organic actuatorBikash Garai0Gobinda Das1Connor M. Duncan2Hany F. Nour3Farah Benyettou4Thirumurugan Prakasam5Sabu Varghese6Houeida Issa Hamoud7Mohamad El-Roz8Jose Ignacio Martinez9Felipe Gándara10Mark A. Olson11Ali Trabolsi12Chemistry Program, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)Chemistry Program, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Texas A&M University Corpus ChristiDepartment of Photochemistry, Chemical Industries Research Institute, National Research CentreChemistry Program, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)Chemistry Program, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)CTP, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)Laboratoire Catalyse et Spectrochimie, CNRS, Ensicaen, Université de CaenLaboratoire Catalyse et Spectrochimie, CNRS, Ensicaen, Université de CaenMaterials Science Institute of Madrid – CSICMaterials Science Institute of Madrid – CSICDepartment of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Texas A&M University Corpus ChristiChemistry Program, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)Abstract Development of efficient actuators and understanding of their mechanisms are crucial for progress in areas such as soft robotics and artificial muscles. Here, we report a self-standing film of an ionic covalent organic framework (V 2+ –TG) composed of cationic guanidinium and viologen linkers, which shows an instantaneous and reversible photoactuation. Upon UV light exposure, the film deflects by 100 ° in less than 3 s, through a triple energy conversion cascade, where light is first converted into chemical energy via intramolecular charge transfer, then to thermal energy, and finally into mechanical energy, causing the film to bend. The localized heat induces water molecule elimination, creating a hydrogen bonding gradient between the two surfaces of the film, triggering the bending. Actuation property of the film is modulated by varying film thickness, light intensity, and humidity. The film also demonstrates practical potential for applications like lifting payloads, heating, and surface deicing where ice accumulation poses operational risks.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60257-8 |
| spellingShingle | Bikash Garai Gobinda Das Connor M. Duncan Hany F. Nour Farah Benyettou Thirumurugan Prakasam Sabu Varghese Houeida Issa Hamoud Mohamad El-Roz Jose Ignacio Martinez Felipe Gándara Mark A. Olson Ali Trabolsi Triple energy conversion cascade in a densely charged redox active covalent organic actuator Nature Communications |
| title | Triple energy conversion cascade in a densely charged redox active covalent organic actuator |
| title_full | Triple energy conversion cascade in a densely charged redox active covalent organic actuator |
| title_fullStr | Triple energy conversion cascade in a densely charged redox active covalent organic actuator |
| title_full_unstemmed | Triple energy conversion cascade in a densely charged redox active covalent organic actuator |
| title_short | Triple energy conversion cascade in a densely charged redox active covalent organic actuator |
| title_sort | triple energy conversion cascade in a densely charged redox active covalent organic actuator |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60257-8 |
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