Polylactic‐Acid Having MoS2 Particles for Reversible Bilayer Actuators

Abstract

Abstract Polylactic acid (PLA) composites having 1 wt% of MoS2 particles are prepared by solvent (SM) and melt mixing (MM) methods and their main thermal and mechanical properties are characterized. Coated films from SM samples and 3D‐printed filaments from MM samples are tested as active layers in reversible bilayer actuators using a paper sheet as a passive layer. The thermal properties depend on the method used to prepare the composites with MM samples presenting a cold crystallization and a glass transition during the first and second heating and SM samples displaying a standard melt process during the first heating and a small cold crystallization and a glass transition during second heating. Regarding the stiffness, MoS2 increases this property confirming its reinforcement effect. Both kinds of bilayers show reversible actuation under heating either by putting the actuator on a hot plate or by remotely irradiating the sample with near‐infrared light (NIR). Under NIR, the 3D printed composites present a much higher actuation. The higher remote actuation in composited bilayers is explained by the NIR light absorption of the MoS2 photoactive particles. This actuator can be used for the design of a smart façade or blind that closes under NIR stimulus.

Keywords

• bilayer actuators
• MoS2 nanofillers
• polylactic acid nanocomposites