A near-infrared mechano responsive polymer system.

A new type of crosslinked polyarylamide based film with a fibrillar morphology that is photomechanically responsive has been created. Without any additive or need of pre-alignment, these films can actuate under NIR stimulation. By constructing the photoresponsive film on top of a piezoelectric poly(vinylidene difluoride) film, electrical energy can be generated under NIR excitation. This is the first polymer system that exhibits NIR response without any conventional photosensitive moieties.