JP7653101B2 - Gel-gel composite, actuator, and method for producing gel-gel composite - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gel-gel composite, an actuator, and a method for manufacturing a gel-gel composite.

Gels are tangible substances consisting of dispersoids and dispersion media, and are soft substances that have both the characteristics of a solid and a liquid. Gels are commonly found in our daily lives. For example, many foods are gels. Also, many of the components of living organisms are gels. In these gels, generally, polymeric compounds are used as the dispersoids, and water is used as the dispersion media. Gels in which the dispersion media is water are called hydrogels. In food, the fact that the dispersion media is water ensures that the food is harmless to living organisms.

On the other hand, there are also gels whose dispersion medium is not water. For example, gels whose dispersion medium is an organic solvent are called organogels. Also, gels whose dispersion medium is an ionic liquid are called ion gels. These gels are mainly used as functional materials. For example, organogels have good affinity with human skin, so they are used in cosmetics and transdermal preparations. Also, some organogels have molecular orientation. Such organogels with molecular orientation are used for optical films, etc. (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). Ion gels are used as electronic materials that apply gate voltages to solid electrolytes and devices, and as repairable gels that do not dry out, taking advantage of the characteristics that the dispersion medium ionic liquid is non-volatile and has ionic properties (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).

In this way, gels themselves have a variety of physical properties and functions. Furthermore, gels have the characteristic that they can be easily combined with other materials. For example, by mixing small amounts of additives such as pigments or iron sand when making a gel, a gel can be obtained in which these substances are dispersed. By using the gel as a support material for the additives, it is possible to add new functions to these gels. Examples of new functions include the ability to exhibit fluorescence or to be attracted to a magnet.

As mentioned above, gels can be easily composited with various substances. For this reason, gels are widely used in industry as functional materials. Here, by adding a technique for adhering different types of gels, it is possible to create a gel-gel composite, which has not been possible until now. This will further expand the industrial applications of gels. To create a gel-gel composite, a method for adhering different types of gels is required.

However, in general, it is very difficult to bond different types of gels. Several examples of methods for bonding different types of gels have been known so far. Bonding different types of gels has significant limitations, such as the need for a different material as an adhesive on the bonding surface between the gels and the fact that the range of application is limited to hydrogels (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3). Furthermore, compared to hydrogels, no bonding methods have been developed for organogels or ionic gels, which are useful as electronic and optical functional materials.

“Self-Assembled Fibrillar Networks through Highly Oriented Aggregates of Porphyrin and Pyrene Substituted by Dialkyl L-Glutamine in Organic Media”T. Sagawa, S. Fukugawa, T. Yamada, H. Ihara, Langmuir, 18, 7223-7228 (2002). “Ion Gels Prepared by in Situ Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers in an Ionic Liquid and Their Characterization as Polymer Electrolytes”M. A. B. H. Susan, T. Kaneko, A. Noda, M. Watanabe, J. Am. Chem Soc. 127, 4976-4983, (2005). “Nanoparticle solutions as adhesives for gels and biological tissues”S. Rose, A. Prevoteau, P. Elziere, D. Hourdet, A. Marcellan, L. Leibler, Nature 505, 382-385 (2014).

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a gel-gel composite that can exhibit the functions of multiple substances.

A gel-gel complex according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first gel and a second gel having a composition different from that of the first gel, the first gel and the second gel are bonded together , the boiling point of the dispersion medium contained in the first gel is higher than the melting point of the first gel, and the boiling point of the dispersion medium contained in the second gel is higher than the melting point of the second gel .

An actuator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a gel-gel complex according to an embodiment of the present invention, and uses, as a power source, a rotational motion generated by placing the gel-gel complex on a water surface or a liquid-liquid interface.
An actuator according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a gel-gel complex including a first gel and a second gel having a composition different from that of the first gel, the first gel being bonded to the second gel, and uses, as a power source, a rotational motion generated by placing the gel-gel complex on a water surface or a liquid-liquid interface.

A method for producing a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a step of separately preparing a first gel and a second gel, each of which has a different composition, and a step of welding the first gel and the second gel together.

The present invention makes it possible to provide a gel-gel complex that can express the functions of multiple substances.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the steps for producing a gel that constitutes a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for producing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for producing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a modified example of a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the steps of producing a gel film that constitutes a gel-gel composite in Example 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the steps of producing a gel film that constitutes a gel-gel composite in Example 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for producing a gel-gel composite in Example 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for producing a gel-gel composite in Example 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a gel-gel composite according to Example 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a gel-gel composite according to Example 1. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the steps of producing a gel film that constitutes a gel-gel composite in Example 2. FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for producing a gel-gel composite in Example 2. FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for producing a gel-gel composite in Example 2. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a gel-gel composite of Example 2. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a method for processing a gel-gel composite in Example 3. FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for controlling the operation of an actuator using the gel-gel composite of Example 3. FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for controlling the operation of an actuator using the gel-gel composite of Example 3. FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for controlling the operation of an actuator using the gel-gel composite of Example 3. FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for producing a gel-gel composite in Example 4. FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for producing a gel-gel composite in Example 4. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a gel-gel composite of Example 4. FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for producing a gel-gel composite in Example 4. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a gel-gel composite of Example 4. FIG. 11 is a perspective view that illustrates a method for producing a gel-gel composite in a comparative example. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gel-gel composite of a comparative example. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a rotational movement of a gel-gel composite of a comparative example on the water surface. FIG. 13 is a front view showing a schematic view of the rotational movement of the gel-gel composite of the comparative example on the water surface. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a gel-gel composite of Example 6. FIG. 13 is a front view showing a schematic diagram of a method for controlling the rotational motion speed by the gel-gel composite of Example 6. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a gel-gel composite of Example 6. FIG. 13 is a front view showing a schematic diagram of a method for controlling the rotational motion speed by the gel-gel composite of Example 6. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a gel-gel composite of Example 7. FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating a method for controlling the rotational motion at the interface between chloroform and pure water by the gel-gel composite of Example 7. FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating a method for controlling the rotational motion at the interface between chloroform and pure water by the gel-gel composite of Example 7.

The gel-gel composite and its manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings used in the following description may show characteristic parts enlarged for the sake of convenience in order to make the characteristics easier to understand, and the dimensional ratios of each component may not be the same as in reality. In addition, the materials, dimensions, etc. exemplified in the following description are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to them, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[Gel-gel complex]
Hereinafter, the gel-gel composite of the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments, however, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates a gel-gel composite according to one embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in Fig. 1, the gel-gel complex 1 of this embodiment is a laminate of a first gel 2 and a second gel 3 having a different composition from the first gel 2. In other words, the gel-gel complex 1 is a laminate of the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 that are laminated and bonded in their respective thickness directions. That is, the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 are in direct contact with each other and integrated. The first gel 2 and the second gel 3 are in contact with each other on a plane (surface) perpendicular to their respective thickness directions.
"Different compositions" refers to various differences in gel form, such as different gel dispersoids, different gel dispersion media, different ratios of gel dispersoids and dispersion media, and different additives contained in the gel.

The first gel 2 is a tangible substance consisting of a dispersoid and a dispersion medium, and is a rectangular film in plan view. The second gel 3 is a tangible substance consisting of a dispersoid and a dispersion medium, and is a rectangular film in plan view.

The dispersoid contained in the first gel 2 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a polymeric compound. Examples of polymeric compounds include polymethyl methacrylate, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene), and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) represented by the following formula (1).

The dispersoid contained in the second gel 3 is similar to the dispersoid contained in the first gel 2 .
The dispersoid contained in the first gel 2 and the dispersoid contained in the second gel 3 may be the same or different. In order to strengthen the bond between the first gel 2 and the second gel 3, it is preferable that the dispersoid contained in the first gel 2 and the dispersoid contained in the second gel 3 are compatible with each other.

The content of dispersoid in the first gel 2 is preferably 10% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, and more preferably 20% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less. If the content of dispersoid is equal to or more than the lower limit, the shape of the first gel 2 is stably maintained. If the content of dispersoid is equal to or less than the upper limit, the first gel 2 has excellent flexibility and exhibits self-propelled movement when placed on the water surface.

The content of dispersoid in the second gel 3 is preferably 10% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, and more preferably 20% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less. If the content of dispersoid is equal to or more than the lower limit, the shape of the second gel 3 is stably maintained. If the content of dispersoid is equal to or less than the upper limit, the second gel 3 is highly flexible and exhibits self-propelled movement when placed on the water surface.

The boiling point of the dispersion medium contained in the first gel 2 is preferably higher than the melting point of the first gel 2. The melting point of the first gel 2 is preferably 50°C to 250°C, and more preferably 70°C to 150°C. Such dispersion medium is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include water, liquid crystal molecules, cholesterol, ionic liquid, etc. Examples of ionic liquids include 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide represented by the following formula (2).

The content of the dispersion medium in the first gel 2 is preferably 30% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and more preferably 50% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less. If the content of the dispersion medium is equal to or more than the lower limit, the first gel 2 has excellent flexibility. If the content of the dispersion medium is equal to or less than the upper limit, the shape of the first gel 2 is stably maintained.

In addition, the boiling point of the dispersion medium contained in the second gel 3 is preferably higher than the melting point of the second gel 3. The dispersion medium contained in the second gel 3 is the same as the dispersion medium contained in the first gel 2.
The dispersion medium contained in the first gel 2 and the dispersion medium contained in the second gel 3 may be the same or different.
The content of the dispersion medium in the second gel 3 is preferably 30% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and more preferably 50% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less. If the content of the dispersion medium is equal to or more than the lower limit, the second gel 3 has excellent flexibility. If the content of the dispersion medium is equal to or less than the upper limit, the shape of the second gel 3 is stably maintained.
The difference between the melting point of the first gel 2 and the melting point of the second gel 3 is preferably 0°C to 100°C, and more preferably 0°C to 30°C.

It is preferable that one or both of the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 contain an additive. It is also preferable that the additive contained in the first gel and the additive contained in the second gel are different from each other. By making the additive contained in the first gel and the additive contained in the second gel different from each other, it is possible to obtain a gel-gel complex 1 that can exhibit the functions of multiple substances.
Examples of additives include pigments and iron sand.

The content of the additive in the first gel 2 is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less. If the content of the additive is equal to or more than the lower limit, the function of the additive is expressed in the first gel 2. If the content of the additive is equal to or less than the upper limit, the shape of the first gel 2 is stably maintained.

The content of the additive in the second gel 3 is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and more preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less. If the content of the additive is equal to or more than the lower limit, the function of the additive is expressed in the second gel 3. If the content of the additive is equal to or less than the upper limit, the shape of the second gel 3 is stably maintained.

In the gel-gel composite 1, the components of the first gel 2 (dispersoid, dispersion medium, additive) may diffuse into the second gel 3, and a concentration gradient of the components of the first gel 2 may be formed in the region of the first gel 2 near the bonding surface between the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 and in the region of the second gel 3 near the bonding surface between the first gel 2 and the second gel 3. The region having the concentration gradient of the components of the first gel 2 is preferably formed in a range of 1 mm to 50 mm on the first gel 2 side from the bonding surface between the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 in a direction perpendicular to the bonding surface. In addition, the region having the concentration gradient of the components of the first gel 2 is preferably formed in a range of 1 mm to 50 mm on the second gel 3 side from the bonding surface between the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 in a direction perpendicular to the bonding surface. In this way, by having a region with a concentration gradient of the components of the first gel 2, the gel-gel complex 1 can locally exhibit functions attributable to the components of the first gel 2 and the components of the second gel 3 in the region.

In the gel-gel composite 1, the components of the second gel 3 (dispersoid, dispersion medium, additive) may diffuse into the first gel 2, and a concentration gradient of the components of the first gel 2 may be formed in the region of the first gel 2 near the bonding surface between the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 and in the region of the second gel 3 near the bonding surface between the first gel 2 and the second gel 3. The region having the concentration gradient of the components of the second gel 3 is preferably formed in a range of 1 mm to 50 mm on the first gel 2 side from the bonding surface between the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 in a direction perpendicular to the bonding surface. In addition, the region having the concentration gradient of the components of the second gel 3 is preferably formed in a range of 1 mm to 50 mm on the second gel 3 side from the bonding surface between the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 in a direction perpendicular to the bonding surface. In this way, by having a region with a concentration gradient of the components of the first gel 2, the gel-gel complex 1 can locally exhibit functions attributable to the components of the first gel 2 and the components of the second gel 3 in the region.

The gel-gel complex 1 of this embodiment is formed by bonding a first gel 2 and a second gel 3, which have different compositions, and is therefore capable of expressing the functions of the substances contained in the first gel 2 and the second gel 3.

[Method of manufacturing a gel-gel composite]
The method for producing a gel-gel composite of the present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments, although the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.
A method for producing a gel-gel complex according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method for producing the gel-gel complex according to the above-described embodiment, and includes a step of separately producing a first gel and a second gel having different compositions (hereinafter referred to as a "gel production step"), and a step of welding the first gel and the second gel (hereinafter referred to as a "gel welding step").

"Gel production process"
In the gel preparation step, a first gel and a second gel having different compositions that constitute a gel-gel complex are prepared separately according to the flow shown in FIG.
The first gel and the second gel can be prepared by a known method.
For example, any dispersoid is dissolved in an organic solvent to prepare a solution containing the dispersoid.
Next, a dispersion medium is added to this solution and mixed to prepare a mixed solution.
Furthermore, any additives are added to the mixed solution as necessary, and the mixture is stirred until it becomes uniform.
Next, the organic solvent is removed by evaporation from the mixed solution containing the additive, thereby obtaining a gel containing the desired additive.

As the dispersoid, the dispersoid contained in the first gel 2 or the second gel 3 is used.
As the dispersion medium, the dispersion medium contained in the first gel 2 or the second gel 3 is used.

The organic solvent is not particularly limited as long as it can dissolve the above-mentioned dispersoid and dispersion medium, but examples include acetone, hexane, toluene, ethanol, etc.

In the gel preparation process, the mixed solution is placed flat on the bottom of a glass container such as a petri dish, and then the organic solvent is removed from the mixed solution to obtain a sheet-like (film-like) gel. Alternatively, the mixed solution is placed in a molding mold of any shape, and then the organic solvent is removed from the mixed solution to obtain a gel with an outer surface shape that is the same as the inner surface shape of the mold.

In the gel preparation process, in order to remove the organic solvent from the mixed solution with high efficiency, the mixed solution is placed under vacuum and left for an appropriate period of time. The above-mentioned dispersoid and dispersion medium have extremely low vapor pressures, and the above-mentioned additives also have low vapor pressures, so they do not evaporate even under vacuum. Therefore, only the organic solvent can be removed from the mixed solution under vacuum.

The above-mentioned gel preparation process is applied to each of the first and second gels that make up the gel-gel complex to prepare the first and second gels separately.

The composition of the gel produced by the gel production process is not particularly limited, but the combination of gels that can be bonded to each other depends on the type of dispersoid and dispersion medium that make up each gel.

"Gel welding process"
In the gel adhesion step, the first gel and the second gel prepared in the gel preparation step are welded together to obtain a gel-gel composite in which the first gel and the second gel, which are gels having different compositions, are bonded together.

To weld the first gel and the second gel, the first gel and the second gel are brought into contact at the location where they are to be joined, the contact point between the first gel and the second gel is heated to melt the gels, and then cooled.
When welding the first gel and the second gel, the heating temperature at the contact point is lower than the boiling point of the dispersion medium contained in the first gel and the boiling point of the dispersion medium contained in the second gel. Even if the heating temperature is lower than the boiling point, the heating time is adjusted so that the dispersion medium does not evaporate more than necessary from the first gel and the second gel. In addition, if the dispersoid contained in the first gel or the dispersoid contained in the second gel is denatured by heating, the heating temperature is adjusted so as not to exceed the denaturation temperature. For example, when welding a hydrogel using water as a dispersion medium, the heating temperature at the contact point is 100° C. or lower.

According to the method for producing a gel-gel composite of this embodiment, a first gel and a second gel, each of which has a different composition, are separately produced, and then the first gel and the second gel are fused together to form a single gel, thereby obtaining a gel-gel composite that can express the functions of the substances contained in each gel.

In the method for producing a gel-gel composite of this embodiment, by further promoting the welding of the first gel 2 and the second gel 3, a gel-gel composite having a concentration gradient of the components of the first gel 2 in the region of the first gel 2 near the bonding surface between the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 is obtained. Also, in the method for producing a gel-gel composite of this embodiment, by further promoting the welding of the first gel 2 and the second gel 3, a gel-gel composite having a concentration gradient of the components of the second gel 3 in the region of the second gel 3 near the bonding surface between the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 is obtained.

According to the manufacturing method of the gel-gel composite of the present embodiment, a gel-gel composite can be obtained in which a first gel and a second gel having different compositions are bonded together, the dispersoid being the same polymer compound and the dispersion medium being a different type of liquid.
Furthermore, when different hydrophobic polymer compounds are used as the dispersoids and different liquids are used as the dispersion media, the method for producing a gel-gel complex of the present embodiment can provide a gel-gel complex in which a first gel and a second gel having different compositions are bonded together, the dispersoids being different hydrophobic polymer compounds and the dispersion media being different liquids.

[Actuator]
An actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the gel-gel composite according to the above-described one embodiment of the present invention, and uses, as a power source, a rotational motion generated by placing the gel-gel composite on a water surface or a liquid-liquid interface.
Examples of gel-gel complexes include those capable of performing actuator action exhibiting rotational motion on the water surface and those capable of performing actuator action exhibiting rotational motion at a liquid-liquid interface.

A gel-gel complex capable of actuator action exhibiting rotational movement on the water surface is characterized in that at least one of the gels constituting the complex is a gel that exhibits actuator action on the water surface.
A gel-gel complex capable of performing actuator action exhibiting rotational motion at a liquid-liquid interface is characterized in that at least one of the gels constituting the complex is a gel that exhibits actuator action at a liquid-liquid interface.

The actuator of this embodiment is equipped with the gel-gel composite according to the above embodiment, and uses the rotational motion generated by placing the gel-gel composite on the water surface or liquid-liquid interface as power, so that it can operate machines and the like without using external power.

[Other embodiments]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

For example, modified examples such as those shown in Figures 3 and 6 to 14 may be adopted.

"First Modified Example"
The gel-gel composite 10 of the first modified example shown in Figure 3 is formed by bonding a first gel film 11 to a second gel film 12 having a different composition from the first gel film 11. In other words, the gel-gel composite 10 is formed by bonding a first gel film 11 having a rectangular shape in a planar view to a second gel film 12 having a rectangular shape in a planar view to each other at their respective surfaces (side surfaces) along their respective thickness directions, forming a single integrated body. The first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are in contact with each other at their respective surfaces (side surfaces) along their respective thickness directions. In other words, the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are aligned in the planar direction of the gel-gel composite 10.
The configurations of the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are similar to the configurations of the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 described above.

A method for producing the gel-gel composite 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.
According to the gel preparation process described above, a first gel film 11 and a second gel film 12 having the same thickness are prepared.
The obtained first gel film 11 and second gel film 12 are each cut into a rectangular shape in a plan view.
Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the first gel 11 and the second gel 12 are placed on one surface 21a of the first glass plate 21 so that the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are in contact with each other on their respective sides.
Next, spacers 31 are disposed on each of the opposing edges on one surface 21a of the first glass plate 21 along the length direction of the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12. The spacers 31 have the same thickness as the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12.
Next, as shown in FIG. 5 , the second glass plate 22 is placed on the first gel film 11 , the second gel film 12 and the spacer 31 .
Next, in the area where the spacer 31 is arranged, the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22 are clamped in their respective thickness directions with clips 41, and the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are fixed by the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22.
Next, the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 fixed between the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22 are heated in an electric furnace. The temperature to which the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are heated in the electric furnace is a temperature at which each gel film melts. The time for which the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are heated is a time for which each gel film is sufficiently melted.
Thereafter, the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are removed from the electric furnace, and the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are cooled to room temperature.
When the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12, which have been cooled to room temperature, are peeled off from the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22, the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are bonded to each other on their respective sides to form an integrated gel-gel composite 10.

"Second Modification"
The gel-gel composite 50 of the second modified example shown in FIG. 6 is a composite of a first gel film 51, a second gel film 52 having a different composition from the first gel film 51, and a third gel film 53 having a different composition from the first gel film 51 and the second gel film 52. In other words, the gel-gel composite 50 is a composite of a first gel film 51 having a rectangular shape in plan view, a second gel film 52 having a rectangular shape in plan view, and a third gel film 53 having a rectangular shape in plan view, which are bonded to each other at their respective surfaces (side surfaces) along the thickness direction, and are integrated together. The first gel film 51 and the second gel film 52 are bonded to each other at their respective side surfaces. The second gel film 52 and the third gel film 53 are bonded to each other at their respective side surfaces. In other words, the first gel film 51, the second gel film 52, and the third gel film 53 are aligned in the plane direction of the gel-gel composite 50.
The configurations of the first gel film 51, the second gel film 52, and the third gel film 53 are similar to the configurations of the first gel film 2 and the second gel film 3 described above.

"Third Modified Example"
The gel-gel composite 60 of the third modified example shown in FIG. 7 is a composite of a first gel film 61, a second gel film 62 having a different composition from the first gel film 61, a third gel film 63 having a different composition from the first gel film 61 and the second gel film 62, and a fourth gel film 64 having a different composition from the first gel film 61, the second gel film 62, and the third gel film 63. In other words, the gel-gel composite 60 is a composite of a first gel film 61 having a rectangular shape in a plan view, a second gel film 62 having a rectangular shape in a plan view, a third gel film 63 having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and a fourth gel film 64 having a rectangular shape in a plan view, which are bonded to each other at the surfaces (side surfaces) along the thickness direction of each of the films, and are integrated together. The first gel film 61, the second gel film 62, and the fourth gel film 64 are bonded to each other at their respective side surfaces. The second gel film 62, the first gel film 61, and the third gel film 63 are bonded to each other at their respective side surfaces. The third gel film 63 is bonded to the second gel film 62 and the fourth gel film 64 at their respective side surfaces. The fourth gel film 64 is bonded to the first gel film 61 and the third gel film 63 at their respective side surfaces. That is, the first gel film 61, the second gel film 62, the third gel film 63 and the fourth gel film 64 are aligned in the plane direction of the gel-gel complex 60.
The configurations of the first gel film 61, the second gel film 62, the third gel film 63, and the fourth gel film 64 are similar to the configurations of the first gel film 2 and the second gel film 3 described above.

"Fourth Modified Example"
In the gel-gel composite 70 of the fourth modification shown in FIG. 8, a first gel film 71 and a second gel film 72 having a different composition from the first gel film 71 are bonded to each other at their respective thickness-direction surfaces (side surfaces) to form an integrated body. In other words, the gel-gel composite 70 is formed by hollowing out the center of the first gel film 71, which is rectangular in plan view, in the thickness direction to form a circular hole, and embedding the second gel film 72, which is circular in plan view, in the hole, so that the first gel film 71 and the second gel film 72 are bonded to each other at their respective thickness-direction surfaces (side surfaces) to form an integrated body. Note that, in plan view, the arrangement of the second gel film 72 relative to the first gel film 71 is not particularly limited, and the second gel film 72 can be arranged at any position on the surface (upper surface) of the first gel film 71.
The configurations of the first gel film 71 and the second gel film 72 are similar to the configurations of the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 described above.

"Fifth Modified Example"
9 shows a gel-gel composite 80 of a fifth modified example, which is formed by bonding a first gel film 81 to a second gel film 82 having a different composition from the first gel film 81. In other words, the gel-gel composite 80 is formed by bonding the first gel film 81, which is semicircular in plan view, and the second gel film 82, which is semicircular in plan view, to each other at their respective thickness-direction surfaces (side surfaces), forming a single unit. More specifically, the first gel film 81 and the second gel film 82 are in contact with each other at their respective side surfaces that form the diameter of the semicircles.
The configurations of the first gel film 81 and the second gel film 82 are similar to the configurations of the first gel 2 and the second gel 3 described above.

"Sixth Modification"
A gel-gel composite 90 of a sixth modified example shown in Fig. 10 is obtained by bending the gel-gel composite 1 shown in Fig. 1 into a circular shape in the length direction or width direction and connecting one end face to the other end face. The one end face and the other end face are faces (side faces) along the thickness direction of the gel-gel composite 1.

"Seventh Modification"
A gel-gel composite 100 of a seventh modification shown in Fig. 11 is obtained by bending the gel-gel composite 10 shown in Fig. 3 into a circular shape in the length direction and joining one end face to the other end face. The one end face and the other end face are faces (side faces) along the thickness direction of the gel-gel composite 10.

"Eighth Modification"
12 shows a gel-gel composite 110 of an eighth modified example, which is obtained by curving the gel-gel composite 10 shown in FIG. 3 into a circular shape in its width direction (the direction in which the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are arranged) and joining an end face of the first gel film 11 and an end face of the second gel film 12. The end faces of the first gel film 11 and the second gel film 12 are surfaces (side faces) that run along the thickness direction of the gel-gel composite 10.

"Ninth Modification"
13 is obtained by curving the gel-gel composite 50 shown in FIG 6 into a circular shape in its width direction (the direction in which the first gel film 51, the second gel film 52, and the third gel film 53 are arranged) and joining an end face of the first gel film 51 and an end face of the third gel film 53. The end faces of the first gel film 51 and the third gel film 53 are surfaces (side faces) that run along the thickness direction of the gel-gel composite 50.

"Tenth Modification"
A gel-gel composite 130 of a tenth modified example shown in FIG. 14 is a Moebius ring type gel-gel composite obtained by cutting the gel-gel composite 1 shown in FIG. 1 into a strip of a certain length, curving it into a circular ring in the length direction, and twisting it 180° in the width direction perpendicular to the length direction, and bonding the end faces by bringing them into contact with each other.

In addition to the structures illustrated in Figures 1, 3, and 6 to 14, the present invention can easily realize gel-gel composites with hollow triangular pyramid or cylindrical structures, and structures in which rings made of gel-gel composites are connected in a chain shape.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[Example 1]
"Preparation of gel-gel composite"
(Preparation of First Gel Film)
Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) was used as the dispersoid (polymer compound). 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide was used as the dispersion medium (ionic liquid). The boiling point of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide is 200° C. or higher.
The first gel was prepared according to the flow shown in FIG.
A solution was prepared by dissolving 1 g of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (number average molecular weight 130,000 gmol ⁻¹ , weight average molecular weight 400,000 gmol ⁻¹ , manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich Japan) in 7 g of acetone.
Next, 4 g of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide was added to this solution and mixed to prepare a mixed solution (hereinafter referred to as "Solution A").
Next, 0.8 g of solution A was placed in a cylindrical glass container, and the cylindrical glass container was left at room temperature without being sealed, to evaporate the acetone contained in solution A.
The cylindrical glass container was then placed under vacuum overnight to remove any acetone remaining in Solution A.
Through these operations, a circular transparent gel film (mass 0.32 g, thickness approximately 0.4 mm) was obtained on the bottom surface of the cylindrical glass container.
The obtained gel film was placed on a glass plate and cut with a knife into a strip having a width of 8 mm (hereinafter referred to as "first gel film"). The melting point of the obtained first gel film was about 130°C.

(Preparation of the second gel film)
A second gel film was prepared according to the flow shown in FIG.
0.5 g of iron sand was added to solution A prepared in the same manner as in the production of the first gel film, and the mixture was stirred until it became homogeneous.
Next, 0.8 g of solution A containing iron sand was placed in a cylindrical glass container, and the cylindrical glass container was left at room temperature without being sealed, to evaporate the acetone contained in solution A.
The cylindrical glass container was then placed under vacuum overnight to remove any acetone remaining in Solution A.
Through these operations, a circular black gel film (mass 0.32 g, thickness approximately 0.4 mm) was obtained on the bottom surface of the cylindrical glass container.
The obtained gel film was placed on a glass plate and cut with a knife into a strip having a width of 8 mm (hereinafter referred to as "second gel film"). The melting point of the obtained second gel film was about 130°C.

(Preparation of Gel-Gel Composite 1)
A method for producing a gel-gel composite will be described with reference to FIGS.
The first gel film prepared as described above was used as the first gel film 141. The second gel film prepared as described above was used as the second gel film 142.
17, the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142 were arranged on one surface 21a of the first glass plate 21 so that the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142 were in contact with each other on their respective side surfaces. That is, the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142 were arranged in the planar direction of the one surface 21a of the first glass plate 21.
Next, spacers 31 were arranged on each of the opposing edges on one surface 21a of the first glass plate 21 along the length direction of the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142. The spacers 31 were made of stainless steel and had a thickness of 0.4 mm.
Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the second glass plate 22 was placed on the first gel film 141, the second gel film 142 and the spacer 31.
Next, in the area where the spacer 31 is arranged, the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22 were clamped in their respective thickness directions with metal clips 41, and the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142 were fixed between the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22.
Next, the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142 fixed between the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22 were heated for 10 minutes in an electric furnace whose temperature had been adjusted to 140°C in advance.
Thereafter, the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142 were removed from the electric furnace, and the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142 were cooled to room temperature.
When the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142, which had been cooled to room temperature, were peeled off from the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22, the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142 were bonded to each other on their respective sides to form a single gel-gel composite 140A as shown in FIG. 19. The gel-gel composite 140A thus obtained had an oblong shape in plan view. The gel-gel composite 140A was a film in which one half was transparent (the first gel film 141) and the other half was black (the second gel film 142). The gel-gel composite 140A had a width of about 16 mm and a thickness of about 0.4 mm. The contact portion of the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142 was completely bonded, and at the contact portion of the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142, the components of the first gel film 141 and the components of the second gel film 142 were separated without being mixed with each other.

(Preparation of Gel-Gel Composite 2)
Gel-gel composite 140B was prepared in the same manner as in preparation of gel-gel composite 1, except that first gel film 141 and second gel film 142 arranged in parallel were heated for 60 minutes in an electric furnace whose temperature had been adjusted to 140°C in advance.
The obtained gel-gel composite 140B had an oblong shape in plan view, as shown in FIG. 20. In addition, one end of the gel-gel composite 140B along the length direction (the end on the first gel film 141 side) was transparent, and the other end along the length direction (the end on the second gel film 142 side) was a black film. The gel-gel composite 140B had a width of about 16 mm and a thickness of about 0.4 mm. The contact portion of the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142 was completely bonded. In the gel-gel composite 140B, the components of the first gel film 141 and the components of the second gel film 142 were mixed at the contact portion of the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142, and a concentration gradient of iron sand was present in the region near the bonded surface of the first gel film 141 and the second gel film 142.

[Example 2]
"Preparation of colored gel"
A white gel was prepared according to the flow shown in FIG.
A solution was prepared by dissolving 1 g of vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer [poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), number average molecular weight 130,000 gmol ⁻¹ , weight average molecular weight 400,000 gmol ⁻¹ , manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich Japan] in 7 g of acetone.
Next, 4 g of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide was added to this solution and mixed to prepare a mixed solution.
Next, 0.2 g of a white pigment that is insoluble in water, an organic solvent, and an ionic liquid was added to this mixed solution, and the mixture was stirred until the white pigment was uniformly dispersed in the mixed solution.
Next, 0.8 g of this mixed solution was placed in a cylindrical glass container, and the cylindrical glass container was left at room temperature without being sealed, to evaporate the acetone contained in the mixed solution.
The cylindrical glass container was then placed under vacuum overnight to remove any acetone remaining in the mixed solution.
Through these operations, a circular white gel film (mass 0.33 g, thickness approximately 0.4 mm) was obtained on the bottom surface of the cylindrical glass container.
In the above-mentioned method for producing a white gel film, a blue pigment was used instead of the white pigment, to obtain a circular blue gel film (mass 0.33 g, thickness approximately 0.4 mm).

A method for producing the gel-gel composite 150 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The obtained white gel film 151 and blue gel film 152 were each cut into a square shape with a side length of 30 mm in a plan view.
Next, as shown in Figure 22, the white gel film 151 and the blue gel film 152 were stacked in their respective thickness directions and arranged on one surface 21a of the first glass plate 21 so that the white gel film 151 and the blue gel film 152 were in contact with each other on a surface (surface) perpendicular to their respective thickness directions.
Next, spacers 31 were disposed on each of the opposing edges on one surface 21a of the first glass plate 21 along the length direction of the white gel film 151 and the blue gel film 152. The spacers 31 had a thickness of about 0.8 mm.
Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the second glass plate 22 was placed on the white gel film 151, the blue gel film 152 and the spacer 31.
Next, in the area where the spacer 31 is arranged, the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22 were clamped in the thickness direction of each plate with a metal clip 41, and the white gel film 151 and the blue gel film 152 were fixed between the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22.
Next, the white gel film 151 and the blue gel film 152 fixed between the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22 were heated for 10 minutes in an electric furnace whose temperature had been adjusted to 140°C in advance.
Thereafter, the white gel film 151 and the blue gel film 152 were taken out of the electric furnace, and the white gel film 151 and the blue gel film 152 were cooled to room temperature.
When the white gel film 151 and the blue gel film 152, which had been cooled to room temperature, were peeled off from the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22, the white gel film 151 and the blue gel film 152 were bonded to each other on a surface perpendicular to their respective thickness directions to form an integrated gel-gel composite 150 as shown in Fig. 24. The gel-gel composite 150 thus obtained was in the form of a film with one surface being white and the other surface being blue. The gel-gel composite 150 was in the form of a square with a thickness of about 0.8 mm and a side length of 30 mm.

[Example 3]
The gel-gel composite 140A obtained in Example 1 was cut into a rectangular gel-gel composite 140C having a length of 8 mm and a width of 3 mm, as shown in Fig. 25. At this time, the gel-gel composite 140C was cut in the length direction so that 5 mm was gel and 3 mm was iron sand-containing gel, as shown in Fig. 25. A hole 141 having a diameter of 1.5 mm was opened in the center of this gel-gel composite 140C with a punch.
26 , a glass petri dish 160 having a diameter of 5 cm was prepared, and a nickel silver wire (rotation axis) 170 having a diameter of 0.8 mm was fixed at the center of the glass petri dish 160 perpendicular to the bottom surface of the glass petri dish 160. 10 mL of pure water 180 was poured into the glass petri dish 160, and an electromagnet 190 was placed near the glass petri dish 160.
When the gel-gel composite 140C was gently placed on the water surface with the nickel silver wire 170 inserted through the hole 141 opened in the center of the gel-gel composite 140C without current flowing through the electromagnet 190, the gel-gel composite 140C floated on the water surface. Immediately after that, as shown in FIG. 27, the gel-gel composite 140C started to rotate around the nickel silver wire 170. The rotation speed was about 5 rotations per second. When a magnetic field was applied by passing a current through the electromagnet 190, the area containing the iron sand of the rotating gel-gel composite 140C received an attractive force in the direction in which the magnetic field was applied, as shown in FIG. 28, and stopped facing that direction. When the current flowing through the electromagnet 190 was stopped and the magnetic field was returned to zero, the gel-gel composite 140C started to rotate on the water surface again. For the gel-gel composite 140C, actuator operation showing rotational movement on the water surface and control of the actuator operation by a magnetic field were confirmed.
Here, the rotational motion of the gel-gel complex 140C will be described. When the gel-gel complex 140C is placed on the water surface, the ionic liquid contained inside the gel dissolves on the water surface and into the water. The surface tension at the water surface where the ionic liquid has dissolved decreases. The dissolution of the ionic liquid is not completely isotropic because the gel has an amorphous structure. For this reason, the force that the gel receives from the surface tension differs locally, and the gel is subjected to a force. The gel-gel complex 140C is rectangular, and the center is fixed to an axis, so this force causes a rotational motion.

[Example 4]
"Three-dimensional ring structure of gel-gel composite"
A white gel film was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2. A blue gel film was prepared by using a blue pigment instead of the white pigment in the method for preparing a white gel shown in Example 2. A red gel film was prepared by using a red pigment instead of the white pigment in the method for preparing a white gel shown in Example 2.
The resulting white, blue and red gel films were each cut into strips measuring 8 mm in length and 3 mm in width.

A method for producing a gel-gel composite will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in Figure 29, the blue gel film 201, the white gel film 202, and the red gel film 203 are arranged on one surface 21a of the first glass plate 21 so that the blue gel film 201 and the white gel film 202 are in contact with each other at their respective longitudinal end faces (side faces), and further, the white gel film 202 and the red gel film 203 are in contact with each other at their respective longitudinal end faces (side faces).
Next, spacers 31 were placed on each of the opposing edges on one surface 21a of the first glass plate 21 along the length direction of the blue gel film 201, the white gel film 202, and the red gel film 203. The spacers 31 were made of stainless steel and had a thickness of 0.4 mm.
Next, as shown in FIG. 30, the second glass plate 22 was placed on the blue gel film 201, the white gel film 202, the red gel film 203 and the spacer 31.
Next, in the area where the spacer 31 is arranged, the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22 are clamped in the thickness direction of each plate with a metal clip 41, and the blue gel film 201, the white gel film 202 and the red gel film 203 are fixed between the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22.
Next, the first gel 21 and the second gel 22 in a state where they were fixed to the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22 were heated for 10 minutes in an electric furnace whose temperature had been adjusted in advance to 140°C.
Thereafter, the blue gel film 201, the white gel film 202, and the red gel film 203 were removed from the electric furnace, and the blue gel film 201, the white gel film 202, and the red gel film 203 were cooled to room temperature.
When the blue gel film 201, the white gel film 202, and the red gel film 203, which had been cooled to room temperature, were peeled off from the first glass plate 21 and the second glass plate 22, the blue gel film 201, the white gel film 202, and the red gel film 203 were bonded to each other on their respective sides to form a single gel-gel composite 200A as shown in Fig. 31. The resulting gel-gel composite 200A was in the shape of a ribbon, measuring 25 mm in length, 3 mm in width, and 0.4 mm in thickness.
Next, as shown in FIG. 32, the ribbon-shaped gel-gel composite 200A was placed on the inner surface 210a of an aluminum cylinder 210 having an inner diameter of 8 mm, so that the longitudinal end face of the blue gel film 201 and the longitudinal end face of the red gel film 203 were in contact with each other to form a ring shape.
The gel-gel composite 200A together with the cylinder 210 was heated in an electric furnace whose temperature had been adjusted in advance to 140° C. for 3 minutes.
Thereafter, the cylinder 210 and the gel-gel complex 200A were taken out of the electric furnace, and the cylinder 210 and the gel-gel complex 200A were cooled to room temperature.
At room temperature, the gel-gel composite 200A was removed from the cylinder 210.
As a result, as shown in Figure 33, a 3 mm-wide ring-shaped gel-gel complex 200B was obtained, which had three regions of blue, white, and red, and in which both end faces of the gel-gel complex 200A (the end face in the longitudinal direction of the blue gel film 201 and the end face in the longitudinal direction of the red gel film 203) were joined.

[Example 5]
"Three-dimensional Möbius ring structure of gel-gel composites"
The gel-gel composite 150 having a thickness of about 0.8 mm obtained in Example 2 was cut into a rectangular shape having a length of 20 mm and a width of 2 mm.
Using tweezers, both ends of the strip were brought into contact. At this time, one end was rotated 180° in the width direction and twisted, and both ends of the strip were brought into contact so that the surface of one end of the strip made of white gel film 151 was in contact with the surface of the other end of the strip made of blue gel film 152. In this state, only the contacting areas were heated with a local heater. After the contacting areas melted, the heating was stopped and the strip was cooled to room temperature. As a result, the contacting areas were bonded, and a Möbius ring-type gel-gel composite was obtained.

[Comparative Example]
"Movement of three-dimensional ring-structured gel-gel complexes on the water surface"
A white gel film was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2.
The resulting white gel film was cut into strips measuring 25 mm in length and 3 mm in width.
As in Example 4, as shown in FIG. 34, the white gel film 220A was processed into a ring shape using a cylinder 210 to produce a ring-shaped white gel film 220B shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 36, a deep-bottomed glass petri dish 230 having a diameter of 10 cm was prepared, and 300 mL of pure water 240 was poured into this glass petri dish 230 .
When the ring-shaped white gel film 220B was gently placed on the water surface, the white gel film 220B floated on the water surface with one circle on the water surface and the other circle underwater, as shown in Figure 36. Immediately after that, the white gel film 220B started to rotate, as shown in Figures 36 and 37. The rotation speed was approximately one rotation per second. An actuator operation showing a rotational movement was confirmed for the white gel film 220B on the water surface.
Here, the rotational motion of the white gel film 220B will be described. When the white gel film 220B is placed on the water surface, the ionic liquid contained inside the gel dissolves on the water surface and in the water. The surface tension of the water surface where the ionic liquid has dissolved is reduced. The dissolution of the ionic liquid is not completely isotropic because the gel structure is amorphous. Therefore, the force that the gel receives from the surface tension differs locally, and the gel receives the force. The white gel film 220B is cylindrical, and the surface (side surface) perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the ring is in the water, so the resistance of the water to the translational motion is strong, and this force causes the rotational motion.

[Example 6]
"Controlling rotational speed using ring structures"
A white gel film was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2. A black gel film was prepared by using a black pigment instead of a white pigment in the method for preparing a white gel shown in Example 2. The white gel film did not exhibit self-propelled motion when placed on the water surface because the ionic liquid used in the preparation was insoluble in water. The black gel film exhibited self-propelled motion when placed on the water surface because the ionic liquid used in the preparation was soluble in water.
The resulting white gel film and black gel film were each cut into strips.
In the same manner as in Example 4, a ring-shaped gel-gel composite 250 was produced in which two white gel films 251 and two black gel films 252 were alternately bonded in the circumferential direction, as shown in Fig. 38. The composition ratio of the white gel film 251 to the black gel film 252 was 1:1 in terms of area ratio.
As shown in FIG. 39, a deep-bottomed glass petri dish 260 having a diameter of 10 cm was prepared, and 300 mL of pure water 270 was poured into this glass petri dish 260 .
When the ring-shaped gel-gel complex 250 was gently placed on the water surface, the gel-gel complex 250 floated on the water surface with one of the faces (sides) perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the ring being on the water surface and the other face (side) perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the ring being underwater, as shown in Figure 39. Immediately after that, the gel-gel complex 250 began to rotate around the central axis of the ring, as shown in Figure 39. The rotation speed was approximately two rotations per second. An actuator operation showing a rotational movement on the water surface was confirmed for the gel-gel complex 250.
In addition, using the above-mentioned white gel film 251 and black gel film 252, a ring-shaped gel-gel complex 280 was produced in which four white gel films 251 and four black gel films 252 were alternately bonded in the circumferential direction, as shown in Fig. 40. The composition ratio of the white gel film 251 to the black gel film 252 was 4:1 in terms of area ratio.
As shown in FIG. 41, a deep-bottomed glass petri dish 260 having a diameter of 10 cm was prepared, and 300 mL of pure water 270 was poured into this glass petri dish 260 .
When the ring-shaped gel-gel complex 280 was gently placed on the water surface, the gel-gel complex 280 floated on the water surface with one of the faces (sides) perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the ring being on the water surface and the other face (side) perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the ring being underwater, as shown in Figure 41. Immediately after that, the gel-gel complex 280 began to rotate around the central axis of the ring, as shown in Figure 41. The rotation speed was approximately 0.5 rotations per second. An actuator operation showing a rotational movement on the water surface was confirmed for the gel-gel complex 280.
In this way, it was confirmed that by adjusting the gel composition, it is possible to control the number of rotations in the actuator operation in which the gel-gel composite exhibits rotational motion on the water surface.
Here, the rotational motion of the gel-gel complex 280 will be described. When the gel-gel complex 280 is placed on the water surface, the ionic liquid contained inside the gel dissolves on the water surface and into the water. The surface tension of the water surface where the ionic liquid has dissolved decreases. The dissolution of the ionic liquid is not completely isotropic because the gel has an amorphous structure. For this reason, the force that the gel receives from the surface tension differs locally, and the gel is subjected to a force. The gel-gel complex 280 is cylindrical, and the surface (side surface) perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the ring is in the water, so that the resistance of the water to the translational motion is strong, and this force causes rotational motion.

[Example 7]
"Control of rotational motion at an interface using ring structures"
A white gel film was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2. A black gel film was prepared by using a black pigment instead of a white pigment in the method for preparing a white gel shown in Example 2. The white gel film did not exhibit self-propelled motion when placed on the water surface because the ionic liquid used in the preparation was insoluble in water. The black gel film exhibited self-propelled motion when placed on the water surface because the ionic liquid used in the preparation was soluble in water.
The resulting white gel film and black gel film were each cut into strips.
In the same manner as in Example 1, a white gel film and a black gel film were bonded to each other on their respective sides to prepare an integrated gel-gel composite.
A ring-shaped gel-gel complex 290 shown in Fig. 42 was produced in the same manner as in Example 4. The composition ratio of the white gel film 291 and the black gel film 292 was 1:1 in terms of area ratio.
As shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, a deep-bottomed glass petri dish 300 having a diameter of 5 cm was prepared, and 10 mL of chloroform 310 was poured into this glass petri dish 300, and then 10 mL of pure water 320 was poured therein.
43, when the gel-gel complex 290 was placed so that the white gel film 291 was at the bottom in the depth direction of the glass petri dish 300 and the black gel film 292 was at the top in the depth direction of the glass petri dish 300, and one of the faces (side faces) perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the ring (the face on the black gel film 292 side, the upper end face of the gel-gel complex 290) was in contact with the interface between chloroform 310 and pure water 320, the gel-gel complex 290 started to rotate at the interface. The rotation speed was approximately two rotations per second.
As shown in Figure 44, when the gel-gel complex 290 was pulled slightly upward in the depth direction of the glass Petri dish 300 and placed so that the other surface (side surface) perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the ring (the surface on the white gel film 291 side, the lower end surface of the gel-gel complex 290) was in contact with the interface between the chloroform 310 and the pure water 320, the gel-gel complex 290 stopped rotating.
Next, the gel-gel complex 290 was slightly pushed downward in the depth direction of the glass Petri dish 300, and placed again so that one of the faces (side faces) perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the ring (the face on the black gel film 292 side, the upper end face of the gel-gel complex 290) was in contact with the interface between the chloroform 310 and the pure water 320, and the gel-gel complex 290 started to rotate again.
Thus, it was confirmed that in the actuator operation which exhibits rotational motion at the liquid-liquid interface, the rotational motion can be controlled by slight vertical movement of the gel-gel composite.
Here, the rotational motion of the gel-gel complex 290 will be described. When the gel-gel complex 290 is placed at a liquid-liquid interface, such as when the black gel film 292 is at the liquid-liquid interface, the ionic liquid contained inside the black gel film 292 dissolves into water and chloroform. At the liquid-liquid interface where the ionic liquid has dissolved, the interfacial tension decreases. The dissolution of the ionic liquid is not completely isotropic because the gel has an amorphous structure. For this reason, the force that the gel receives from the interfacial tension differs locally, and the gel receives the force. The gel-gel complex 290 is cylindrical, and the surface (side surface) perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the ring is in the liquid, so that the resistance of the water to the translational motion is strong, and this force causes the rotational motion. On the other hand, when gel-gel complex 290 is placed at a liquid-liquid interface such that white gel film 291 is at the liquid-liquid interface, the ionic liquid contained inside white gel film 291 is not soluble in water, so no difference in interfacial tension occurs at the liquid-liquid interface, and gel-gel complex 290 does not exhibit rotational motion.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment and includes designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

The gel-gel complex of the present invention contains multiple gels with different compositions, and because these multiple gels are bonded together, the functions of the substances contained in each gel can be expressed locally. Therefore, the gel-gel complex of the present invention can also contribute to the development of materials with functions that have not been realized until now.

1 Gel-gel complex 2 First gel 3 Second gel

Claims (7)

A first gel and a second gel having a different composition from the first gel,
The first gel and the second gel are bonded together ,
A gel-gel complex , wherein the boiling point of the dispersion medium contained in the first gel is higher than the melting point of the first gel, and the boiling point of the dispersion medium contained in the second gel is higher than the melting point of the second gel . The gel-gel complex according to claim 1, wherein the dispersoids contained in the first gel and the dispersoids contained in the second gel are mutually compatible. both the first gel and the second gel include an additive;
The gel-gel complex according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the additive contained in the first gel is different from the additive contained in the second gel. The gel-gel complex according to claim 2 , wherein the dispersion medium is an ionic liquid, and the dispersoid is a polymer compound. 5. An actuator comprising the gel-gel complex according to claim 1 , which uses, as a power source, a rotational motion generated by placing the gel-gel complex on a water surface or a liquid-liquid interface. A first gel and a second gel having a different composition from the first gel,
An actuator comprising a gel-gel complex in which the first gel and the second gel are bonded, the actuator using, as power, a rotational motion generated by placing the gel-gel complex on a water surface or a liquid-liquid interface. A method for producing the gel-gel composite according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , comprising the steps of:
A step of separately preparing a first gel and a second gel having different compositions;
and welding the first gel and the second gel together.

Images