Moisture-Driven Ceramic Bilayer Actuators from a Biotemplating Approach

Abstract

The former ovuliferous scales of biotemplated cones of Pinus nigra show moisture-driven actuation similar to their biological templates, demonstrating a facile route to obtain ceramic moisture-sensitive bilayer actuators. Based on comparative analysis of their hierarchical nanometer-precision replica structures, using, e.g., spatially resolved small-angle X-ray scattering, the origin of the actuation is explained.

Keywords: bioinspired materials; biotemplated silica; moisture-driven actuation; nanometer-scale precision hierarchical replica; porous ceramic bilayer actuators.