Photo Switchable 4D Printing Remotely Controlled Responsive and Mimetic Deformation Shape Memory Polymer Nanocomposites

Photo-triggered shape morphing structures can be found in myriads of areas. Utilizing light as a switch can effectively control and regulate the precise deformation of structures. However, the integration of photo-switching functions in shape-morphing structures with complex geometries remains a challenge. Here, photoswitchable digital light processing based 4D printing high-resolution and highly complex geometries, based on UV curable WO 2.9 nanoparticle doped shape memory polymer nanocomposites is reported, which are highly deformable (stretchability up to ≈1000% at rubbery state) and fatigue resistant (repeatedly loaded >1200 times at ambient temperature). The presence of just trace WO 2.9 nanoparticles (<0.20 wt.‰) contributes to the controlled photothermal property of nanocomposite via selective absorption of light, which enables reversibly photoswitchable (>50 times), spatial and remote control of 4D printing shape morphing structures. These findings offer a promising approach to expanding the applications of photo-triggered shape-morphing structures.