An optimized complementary design based on trilayer graphene oxide and clay composites for three stimuli responsive actuator

To promote the practical development of actuators, it is urgent to develop new multi-responsive actuators. Asymmetric bilayer actuators were reported to be dual-responsive, which can be driven by humidity and light. However, it remains a great challenge to develop rational designs for fabricating high-performance multi-responsive actuators. Here, we propose an optimized complementary design for three stimuli responsive actuators that can respond to multiple organic vapors, humidity, and light. The actuator is designed to achieve complementarity through a trilayer construction with graphene oxide (GO) in the middle layer, and with montmorillonite (MMT) and biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) on both sides, utilizing their hygroscopicity, organic vapor absorption, light absorption and thermal expansion capabilities. The maximum bending curvatures of the actuator under humidity, organic vapor and light stimulation conditions are 6.60 cm-1, 4.12 cm-1 and 2.59 cm-1 respectively, which are better than that of mixed GO-MMT/BOPP bilayer actuators. To reveal the kinetics of actuation, the actuation speed, temperature and mass during the deformation process are studied, which behave in sync with the bending curvature. Finally, a wireless intelligent claw and an organic-vapor leakage alarm are demonstrated based on these actuators. This study will provide an enlightening reference for multi-responsive actuators and promote their practical development. [Display omitted] •An optimized complementary design is proposed for actuators, which can respond to organic vapors, humidity, and light.•Complementary effect is achieved through a trilayer construction based on graphene oxide and clay composites.•The actuators exhibit high performances with bidirectional bending, and the largest bending curvature is up to 6.60 cm-1.•An intelligent wireless claw and an organic-vapor leakage alarm system are demonstrated based on the actuators.