Multi-functional materials were synthesized by on chain modification of dimethyl-methylvinylsiloxane copolymers with mercaptopropionic acid and Disperse Red 1 (DR1). After cross-linking, transparent free-standing films were obtained, showing at the same time light-responsive and electromechanical (electrical actuation and piezoelectric) properties. Different characterization tools, such as DSC, dielectric broadband spectroscopy, dynamic contact angle, and indentation, were applied to investigate the impact of polymer functionalities on the intrinsic material properties. The molecular grafting of DR1 enhanced the dielectric permittivity by 63% compared with the starting vinyl-silicones, while high breakdown strength of 84 V/μm was achieved. The films exhibited actuation on three different mechanisms: electrical, piezoelectric and photo-induced. Through the use of specific analyzing techniques (such as electric field actuation, piezoresponse force microscopy -PFM- and photoactuation) direct evidence of these features was brought in each case. The lateral actuation strain reached 8.7% at 40 V/μm, as a consequence of increased dielectric permittivity. The piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ of about 10 pm/V was determined by PFM. The trans–cis photoisomerization of nitro-azobenzene which occurs during UV irradiation led to surface modifications and preferential actuation of the film (such as, length change or bending), depending on optical and mechanical properties of the materials.

通过对二甲基-甲基乙烯基硅氧烷共聚物与巯基丙酸和分散红1（DR1）进行链修饰，合成了多功能材料。交联后，获得透明的自支撑膜，同时显示出光响应和机电（电驱动和压电）性能。DSC，介电宽带光谱，动态接触角和压痕等不同的表征工具被用于研究聚合物功能性对固有材料性能的影响。与起始的乙烯基硅树脂相比，DR1的分子接枝将介电常数提高了63％，同时实现了84 V /μm的高击穿强度。这些薄膜在三种不同的机理上表现出驱动作用：电，压电和光​​诱导。通过使用特定的分析技术（例如电场驱动，压电响应力显微镜-PFM-和光驱动），在每种情况下都可以直接获得这些特征的证据。由于介电常数的增加，横向激励应变在40 V /μm时达到8.7％。压电系数d通过PFM确定约10 pm / V的₃₃。的反式-顺式硝基偶氮苯的光异构化反应而导致表面变形和膜的优先致动（例如，长度变化或弯曲）紫外线照射过程中发生，这取决于材料的光学和机械性能。