Spatiotemporally Controllable Electrical Stimulator via Independent Photobending and Upconversion Photoluminescence Using Two Different Wavelengths of Near-Infrared/Visible Light as Dual Stimuli

Multistimuli responsive materials are advantageous in that they can enhance the desired response or bypass unwanted reactions. Light is one of the most attractive stimuli since it allows remote spatiotemporal control and multiplexing of properties (e.g., wavelength, intensity, irradiation time, pulsed/continuous wave) for application on multiphotoresponsive materials. However, the operating wavelength for such photoresponsive systems often includes an ultraviolet (UV) range that limits its use in the biomedical field. Herein, we investigate near-infrared (NIR)/visible (Vis) light-responsive nanocomposite films composed of rare earth element (i.e., Yb, Er)-doped NaYF 4 nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in azobenzene-incorporated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (AzoPDMS), silk fibroin, and silver nanowire (AgNW) layers. Photobending (PB) of the nanocomposite film is induced by a Vis light of 400–700 nm, while upconversion photoluminescence (UCPL) of embedded NPs is activated by an NIR light of 980 nm. The excitation wavelength of photoluminescence (PL) is shifted to the NIR (λ = 980 nm) range via photon upconversion in rare earth element-doped NPs. Independent operation of PB and UCPL enables both on-demand electrical switching and real-time location monitoring for spatiotemporally controlled electrical pulse stimulation. As a result, the dual-photoresponsive nanocomposite film can be utilized as a remotely controllable electrical stimulator and location indicator via different wavelengths of light.