In situ electron microscopy of Braille microsystems: photo-actuation of ethylene vinyl acetate/carbon nanotube composites

0500768 - ÚMCH 2019 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Czaniková, K. - Krupa, I. - Račko, D. - Šmatko, V. - Campo, E. M. - Pavlova, Ewa - Omastová, M.
In situ electron microscopy of Braille microsystems: photo-actuation of ethylene vinyl acetate/carbon nanotube composites.
Materials Research Express. Roč. 2, č. 2 (2015), s. 1-12, č. článku 025601. E-ISSN 2053-1591
R&D Projects: GA TA ČR(CZ) TE01020118
Institutional support: RVO:61389013
Keywords : polymeric nanocomposites * actuator * scanning electron microscopy,
OECD category: Polymer science
Impact factor: 0.968, year: 2015

The development of new types of tactile displays based on the actuation of composite materials can aid the visually impaired. Micro/nano systems based on ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymeric matrices enriched with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) can produce ensembles capable of light-induced actuation. In this report, we investigate two types of commercial EVA copolymers matrices containing 28 and 50 wt% vinyl-acetate (VA). Non-covalent modification of carbon nanotubes was achieved through a compatibilization technique that appends the pyrenenyl and cholesteryl groups on the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) surface. EVA/MWCNT nanocomposites were prepared by casting from a solution. These composites were shaped into Braille elements using molds. The deformation of the Braille element (BE) under light-emitting diode (LED) illumination was observed for the first time by in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The superior actuation performance promoted by the EVA/MWCNT nanocomposites indicates that these materials will be useful in the future as light-driven micro/nano system actuators.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0292922