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Animal testing is often criticized due to ethical issues and complicated translation of the results obtained to the clinical stage of drug development. Existing alternative models for nanopharmaceutical testing still have many limitations and do not significantly decrease the number of animals used. We propose a simple, bioinspired in vitro model for nanopharmaceutical drug testing based on the decellularized spinach leaf's vasculature. This system is similar to human arterioles and capillaries in terms of diameter (300-10 μm) and branching. The model has proven its suitability to access the maneuverability of magnetic nanoparticles, particularly those composed of Fe3O4. Moreover, the thrombosis has been recreated in the model's vasculature. We have tested and compared the effects of both a single-chain urokinase plasminogen activator (scuPA) and a magnetically controlled nanocomposite prepared by heparin-mediated cross-linking of scuPA with Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Compositions were tested both in static and flow conditions.

Classically, vicariant phenomena have been essentially identified on the basis of biogeographical and ecological data. Here, we report unequivocal evidences that demonstrate that a physical-chemical characterization of the epicuticular waxes of the surface of plant leaves represents a very powerful strategy to get rich insight into vicariant events. We found vicariant similarity between

The demand for more efficient energy storage devices has led to the exponential growth of lithium-ion batteries. To overcome the limitations of these systems in terms of safety and to reduce environmental impact, solid-state technology emerges as a suitable approach. This work reports on a three-component solid polymer electrolyte system based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP), the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium thiocyanate ([BMIM][SCN]), and clinoptilolite zeolite (CPT). The influences of the preparation method and of the dopants on the electrolyte stability, ionic conductivity, and battery performance were studied. The developed electrolytes show an improved room temperature ionic conductivity (1.9 × 10–4 S cm–1), thermal stability (up to 300 °C), and mechanical stability. The corresponding batteries exhibit an outstanding room temperature performance of 160.3 mAh g–1 at a C/15-rate, with a capacity retention of 76% after 50 cycles. These results represent a step forward in a promising technology aiming the widespread implementation of solid-state batteries., FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia) for financial support under the framework of Strategic Funding grants UID/CTM/50025/2021, UID/FIS/04650/2021, UID/EEA/04436/2021 and UID/QUI/0686/2021; and support from FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme (projects PTDC/FISMAC/28157/2017 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007688). Grants SFRH/BD/140842/2018 (J.C.B.) and SFRH/BPD/121526/2016 (D.M.C) and contracts under the Stimulus of Scientific Employment, Individual Support CEECIND/00833/2017 (R.G.) and 2020.04028 CEECIND (C.M.C.) are acknowledged. Financial support from the Basque Government under the ELKARTEK program, Basque University System Research Groups, IT-1290-19 and the University of the Basque Country (GIU18/197). is also acknowledged

The demand for more efficient energy storage devices has led to the exponential growth of lithium-ion batteries. To overcome the limitations of these systems in terms of safety and to reduce environmental impact, solid-state technology emerges as a suitable approach. This work reports on a three-component solid polymer electrolyte system based on poly(vinylidene fluoride

Electrochromic devices (ECDs) combining visible/near-infrared (NIR) transparent amorphous indium zinc oxide (a-IZO) external layers with innovative NIR-emitting electrolytes composed of red seaweed-derived kappa-carrageenan (kappa-Cg) polysaccharide, glycerol (Gly), and erbium triflate (ErTrif(3)center dot xH(2)O) are proposed as a valuable technological solution for the development of smart windows providing less heating demand, less glare and more indoors human comfort for the new generation of energy-efficient buildings. The electrolyte preparation is cheap, clean, and fast. The optimized sample including 50 wt% Gly/kappa-Cg and 40 wt% ErTrif(3)center dot xH(2)O/kappa-Cg exhibits the highest ionic conductivity (1.5 X 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 20 degrees C) and displays ultraviolet (UV)/blue and NIR emissions associated with the kappa-Cg-based host and the Er3+ ions (I-4(15/2) -> I-4(13/2)), respectively. The 5-layer configuration ECD tested demonstrated fast switching time (50 s), high electrochromic contrast (transmittance variations of 46/51% at 550/1000 nm), high optical density change (0.89/0.75 at 550/1000 nm), outstanding coloration efficiency (450th cycle = -15902/-13400 cm(2) C-1 and +3072/+2589 cm(2) C-1 at 550/1000 nm for coloration and bleaching, respectively), excellent electrochemical stability, and self-healing after mechanical damage. The ECD encompasses two voltage-operated modes: semibright warm (+3.0 V, transmittances of 52/61% at 550/1000 nm) and dark cold (-3.0 V, transmittances of 7/11% at 550/1000 nm)., This work was supported by FEDER, through COMPETE and Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-037271, Pest-OE/QUI/UI0616/2014, and UID/CTM/50025/2019), project LUMECD (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016884 and PTDC/CTM-NAN/0956/2014), project UniRCell (ref. SAICTPAC/0032/2015, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016422), and by the Portuguese National NMR Network (RNRMN). S.C.N. acknowledges FCT for grants (Post -PhD Fellowships of UniRCell and LUMECD projects). R.F.P.P. acknowledges FCT for SFRH/BPD/87759/2012 grant. The authors thank CPKelco (U.S.A.) for providing the x-carrageenan sample.

The technological potential of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based composite films doped with lanthanide-doped sol–gel derived ionosilicas (IS-Ln) previously proposed for luminescent down-shifting (LDS) and luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) layers connected to photovoltaic (PV) cells is extended here to electrochromic devices (ECDs), targeting the fabrication of single energy harvesting/conversion/management LSC-LDS/PV/ECD systems. These integrated devices have foreseen application in the windows of future zero-energy buildings of smart cities. The proof-of-concept is given with the report of the electro-optical performance of an ECD comprising an optimized electrolyte film composed of PMMA, IS-Nd, and IS-Eu, and the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid. This amorphous electrolyte is stable below 160 °C, exhibits high ionic conductivity (2.13 × 10−4 and 8.76 × 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature and 44 °C, respectively), and emits in the visible (red color) and near-infrared (NIR) spectral regions. The device demonstrated fast switching speed (50 s) and high transparency in the visible-to-NIR spectral regions (transmittance (T) = 79/96/89/77% at 555/1000/1500/1650 nm in the as-prepared state, respectively). Upon application of ±2.5 V for 200 cycles, at the same wavelengths, the Tbleached/Tcolored values were 44/28, 46/26, 39/20, and 27/9%, respectively, and the coloration efficiency (CE) values CEin/CEout values were −302/+181, −381/+228, −446/+267 and −734/+440 cm2 C−1, respectively. published

Silk is one of the most important materials in the history of medical practice. Owing to its excellent strength, biocompatibility and degradability, silk from Bombyx mori – which is structured as a concentric assembly of silk fibroin (SF) coated by a sheath of sericin (SS) – has long been used for wound treatment. Here, we recapitulate for the first time the topology of native silk fibers using a radically new materials design-oriented approach to achieve unprecedented porous dermal patches suitable for controlled drug delivery. The method implies four steps: (1) removing SS; (2) creating anisotropic macroporosity in SF via ice templating; (3) stabilizing the SF foam with a methanolic solution of Rifamycin (Rif) antibiotic; and (4) coating Rif-loaded redesigned SF foams with a SS sheath. The core-shell SS@SF foams exhibit water wicking properties accommodate up to ~20% lateral deformation. Moreover, monitoring of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus revealed that the SS@SF foams’ Rif release extended up to 9 days. We anticipate that reverse-engineering of silk foams opens exciting new avenues towards the fabrication of advanced drug eluting silk-based biomaterial platforms with improved performance. The present approach can be generalizable to re-build multicomponent biological materials with tunable porosity.

Novel electrolytes composed of chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) and citric acid (CA) have been prepared using a clean, safe, and fast route. These electrolytes exhibit different physical-chemical properties, depending on the amount of CA. For X > 82.3%, where X is the mass ratio, in %, of CA/(CA + CSA), whitish polycrystalline powders result. Lower amounts of CA leads to the production of translucent, amorphous films, sticky for X = 75.6 and 82.0, brittle for X < 43.6 and crack-free, self-standing for 43.6 < X < 75.6%. The results obtained provide evidence that, at low pH, strong hydrogen bonding interactions take place between the anionic sulfonic and carboxylic groups of CSA and CA. CA exerts a key role, acting as a cross-linker and proton source, while simultaneously influencing sample morphology. At room temperature the highest ionic conductivity is achieved at X = 60.8%. A significant enhancement of the ionic conductivity of this sample occurs with the increase of relative humidity (RH) (from 3.1 × 10−7 to 3.7 × 10−2 S cm−1 30% for RH = 30 and ~100%, respectively)., Support by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013, UID/QUI/ 00686/2013, UID/QUI/50006/2019 and UID/QUI/00686/2016. This work was funded by the R&D Project UniRCell-Unitised regenerative fuel cell for efficient renewable energy supply: from materials to device, with reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016422 and SAICTPAC/0032/ 2015, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through COMPETE 2020 – Operational Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI) and by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (UID/ CTM/50011/2019), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC. Is also acknowledged, as well as funding under projects UID/CTM/ 50025/2013, Pest-OE/QUI/UI0616/2014, and LUMECD (PTDC/CTM/ NAN/0956/20149 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016884). F. M. Santos acknowledges a Post-PhD Fellow grant supported by Project UniRcell. P. C. Barbosa employment contract is funded by national funds (OE), through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5 and 6 of the article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29, changed by Law 57/2017, of July 19.R. F. P. Pereira Post-PhD fellow was funded by FCT (SFRH/BPD/87759/2012). S. C. Nunes was funded by FCT projects (Post-PhD Fellowships of UniRCell and LUMECD projects). H.M.R. Gonçalves was funded by NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030858 and PTDC/ BTM-MAT/30858/2017.

Green, transparent and flexible electrolyte films composed of a Bombyx mori silk fibroin (SF) host biopolymer doped with glycerol (G), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, D) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Bmim]PF6) ionic liquid (IL), were synthesized. The materials were represented by the notation SF@GD@ILx (x = 15, 20 and 30 is the mass ratio of SF/[Bmim]PF6 in %). SF@, SF@G, SF@D and SF@GD samples were also prepared. DMSO was found to play a dual-role, acting as solvent of [Bmim]PF6, and enhancing ionic conductivity. DMSO, alone or combined with [Bmim]PF6, led to the increase of the mean roughness and induced the formation of more ordered Silk II conformations (beta-sheets). No structural modifications were detected in the SF@GD@ILx samples upon increasing the temperature up to 100 degrees C. The highest ionic conductivity was exhibited by the IL-rich sample SF@GD@IL30 (1.07 and 4.61 mS cm(-1), at 22 and 100 degrees C, respectively). In the [Bmim]PF6-doped electrolytes "free" and coordinated PF6- ions coexist. The weight losses occurring below 200 degrees C involved essentially the release of adsorbed water and DMSO. The suitable mechanical properties, high ionic conductivity and good electrochemical stability suggest that these electrolytes are attractive candidates for application in electrochemical devices., Veronica de Zea Bermudez would like to express her gratitude to Professor Michel Armand who, during her PhD thesis at Grenoble (1989-1992), was an endless source of ideas that made her work productive and stimulating. His qualities, as an inspiring and extraordinary scientist, equal his kindness, generosity and great heart. This work was supported by National funds by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/QUI/00686/2018, UID/QUI/00686/2019, UID/QUI/50006/2019 and UID/QUI/00313/2020. The authors thank FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Program and National Funds through FCT under the projects PEst-OE/QUI/UI0616/2014, LUMECD (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016884 and PTDC/CTMNAN/0956/2014), UniRCell (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016422 and SAICTPAC/0032/2015), PORPLANTSURF (POCI-01-0145FEDER-029785 and PTDC/CTM-REF/29785/2017), and NORTE01-0145-FEDER-030858. R.F.P.P thanks FCT-UM for the researcher contract in the scope of Decreto-Lei 57/2016 and 57/2017. H.M.R. Goncalves was funded by PTDC/BTM-MAT/30858/2017.

New mesoporous silk fibroin (SF)/silica hybrids were processed via a one-pot soft and energy-efficient sol-gel chemistry and self-assembly from a silica precursor, an acidic or basic catalyst, and the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, acting as both solvent and mesoporosity-inducer. The as-prepared materials were obtained as slightly transparent-opaque, amorphous monoliths, easily transformed into powders, and stable up to ca. 300 degrees C. Structural data suggest the formation of a hexagonal mesostructure with low range order and apparent surface areas, pore volumes, and pore radii of 205-263 m(2) g(-1), 0.16-0.19 cm(3) g(-1), and 1.2-1.6 nm, respectively. In all samples, the dominating conformation of the SF chains is the beta-sheet. Cytotoxicity/bioactivity resazurin assays and fluorescence microscopy demonstrate the high viability of MC3T3 pre-osteoblasts to indirect (>= 99 +/- 9%) and direct (78 +/- 2 to 99 +/- 13%) contact with the SF/silica materials. Considering their properties and further improvements, these systems are promising candidates to be explored in bone tissue engineering. They also offer excellent prospects as electrolytes for solid-state electrochemical devices, in particular for fuel cells., This work was supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT)/Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) Transnational Cooperation Project no. 6818 "Ionic liquid-and ionic liquid crystal-assisted formation of hybrid biomaterials scaffolds". We further wish to thank the European Union, QREN, FEDER through "Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade" (COMPETE), and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679 (FCT Ref. UID/CTM/50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. This work was also funded by project UniRCell (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016422 and SAICTPAC/0032/2015) financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through COMPETE 2020, POCI and FCT. We also thank FCT in the framework of Strategic Funding UID/QUI/00686/2013 and UID/QUI/00686/2016, and funding under project PEst-OE/QUI/UI0616/2014. R.F.P.P. acknowledges FCT for a grant (SFRH/BPD/87759/2012).

Polymer electrolytes (PEs) are of much attention as potential electrolytes of great technological relevance for solid-state electrochemistry, in particular for their possible practical application in devices such as batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, smart windows, sensors, and solar cells, among others. Generically, solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are mixtures of salts with basic polymers, such as poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) or poly(ethylene imine) (PEI). However, there are also other polymers used as matrices for ionic conduction, like poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), or natural macromolecules. A brief description of theoretical aspects of different PEs and past and recent trends in development of these materials are presented in this chapter. SPEs have many advantages including high energy density, no risk of leakage, no deleterious issues related to the presence of solvent, wide electrochemical stability window, simplified processability, and light weight. Some examples of prototypes of electrochromic device (ECD), batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, sensors, dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and light emitting electrochemical cells are also presented and discussed in scope of this contribution., (undefined)

The synthesis, structure, and photocatalytic water splitting performance of two new titania (TiO 2 )/gold(Au)/Bombyx mori silk hybrid materials are reported. All materials are monoliths with diameters of up to ca. 4.5 cm. The materials are macroscopically homogeneous and porous with surface areas between 170 and 210 m 2/g. The diameter of the TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) – mainly anatase with a minor fraction of brookite – and the Au NPs are on the order of 5 and 7–18 nm, respectively. Addition of poly(ethylene oxide) to the reaction mixture enables pore size tuning, thus providing access to different materials with different photocatalytic activities. Water splitting experiments using a sunlight simulator and a Xe lamp show that the new hybrid materials are effective water splitting catalysts and produce up to 30 mmol of hydrogen per 24 h. Overall the article demonstrates that the combination of a renewable and robust scaffold such as B. mori silk with a photoactive material provides a promising approach to new monolithic photocatalysts that can easily be recycled and show great potential for application in lightweight devices for green fuel production., Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe, 581

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (PVDF-CTFE) were evaluated for the development of ionic liquid (IL) - polymer composite bending actuators. The selected guest IL, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, [Emim][TFSI], was incorporated into the different host polymer matrixes in concentrations ranging from 10 to 40wt%. The IL/polymer composites electrical properties strongly depend on the IL content. The largest bending response was found for the IL/PVDF-TrFE composites with a maximum bending value of 3.5mm using a frequency of 100mHzat an applied potential difference of 5.0 Vpp. Thus, PVDF-TrFE are attractive candidates for the development of high performance bending actuators., Work supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013, UID/QUI/00686/2013 and UID/QUI/0686/2016. The authors thank FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through FCT under the projects PTDC/CTM-ENE/5387/2014 and UID/CTM/50025/2013 and Grants SFRH/BD/90215/2012 (J.C.D.), SFRH/BPD/121526/2016 (D.M.C), SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.), SFRH/BPD/90870/2012 (C.R.). Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the project MAT2016-76039-C4-3-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) (including the FEDER financial support) and from the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK and HAZITEK program and Grupos de Investigación, IT718-13, is also acknowledged., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The integration of photovoltaic (PV) elements in urban environments is gaining visibility due to the current interest in developing energetically self-sustainable buildings. Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) may be seen as a solution to convert urban elements, such as fa&ccedil, ades and windows, into energy-generation units for zero-energy buildings. Moreover, LSCs are able to reduce the mismatch between the AM1.5G spectrum and the PV cells absorption. In this work, we report optically active coatings for LSCs based on lanthanide ions (Ln3+ = Eu3+, Tb3+)-doped surface functionalized ionosilicas (ISs) embedded in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). These new visible-emitting films exhibit large Stokes-shift, enabling the production of transparent coatings with negligible self-absorption and large molar extinction coefficient and brightness values (~2 &times, 105 and ~104 M&minus, 1∙cm&minus, 1, respectively) analogous to that of orange/red-emitting organic dyes. LSCs showed great potential for efficient and environmentally resistant devices, with optical conversion efficiency values of ~0.27% and ~0.34%, respectively.

To address the challenges of the next generation of smart windows for energy-efficient buildings, new electrochromic devices (ECDs) are introduced. These include indium molybdenum oxide (IMO), a conducting oxide transparent in the near-infrared (NIR) region, and a NIR-emitting electrolyte. The novel electrolytes are based on a sol-gel-derived di-urethane cross-linked siloxane-based host structure, including short chains of poly (&epsilon, caprolactone) (PCL(530) (where 530 represents the average molecular weight in g mol&minus, 1). This hybrid framework was doped with a combination of either, lithium triflate (LiTrif) and erbium triflate (ErTrif3), or LiTrif and bisaquatris (thenoyltrifluoroacetonate) erbium (III) ([Er(tta)3(H2O)2]). The ECD@LiTrif-[Er(tta)3(H2O)2] device presents a typical Er3+ NIR emission around 1550 nm. The figures of merit of these devices are high cycling stability, good reversibility, and unusually high coloration efficiency (CE = &Delta, OD/&Delta, Q, where Q is the inserted/de-inserted charge density). CE values of &minus, 8824/+6569 cm2 C&minus, 1 and &minus, 8243/+5200 cm2 C&minus, 1 were achieved at 555 nm on the 400th cycle, for ECD@LiTrif-ErTrif3 and ECD@LiTrif-[Er(tta)3(H2O)2], respectively.

We introduce a bio-inspired strategy for the synthesis of green polymer electrolytes (PEs) which relies on the use of silk fibroin (SF). The two series of PEs prepared, doped with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (SF@LiTFSI) or lithium tetrafluoroborate (SF@LiBF4) and incorporating glycerol, exhibited outstanding filmogenic properties, very high transparency and suitable adhesion to glass substrates. Despite their poor ionic conductivity, the SF-based films (SF@) were employed in the construction of glass/ITO/WO3/SF@/CeO2-TiO2/ITO/glass electrochromic devices displaying an optical modulation up to 5.5 % at 633 nm, switching speed of ca. 15 s, stability up to 5160 cycles, and coloration efficiency up to −53.1 m2 C−1 . This work, in which we provide the proof-of-concept, paves the way for new design approaches for silk-based materials, enlarging the range of applications of SF to the energy field., This work was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and Feder (contracts PTDC/CTMBPC/112774/2009, PEst-OE/QUI/UI0616/2014 and PEstC/QUI/UI0686/2013) and COST Action MP1202 “Rational design of hybrid organic-inorganic interfaces”. R.F.P.P. acknowledges FCT for a grant (SFRH/BPD/87759/2012). M.M.S. acknowledges Fundação Luso-Americana (FLAD) and CNPq (PVE grant 406617/2013-9), for a mobility grant., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Non-Newtonian nanofluids present outstanding features in terms of energy transfer and conductivity with high application in numerous areas. In this work, non-Newtonian nanofluids based on carbon dots (Cdots) functionalized with ionic liquids (ILs) are developed. The nanofluids are produced using a simple, single-step method where the raw materials for the Cdots synthesis are glucose and waste biomass (chitin from crab shells). The use of ILs as both reaction media and functionalization molecules allows for the development of a new class of nanofluids, where the ILs on the Cdots surface represent the base-fluid. Here, the well-known benign IL 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) and a novel home-made IL (1-tosylate-3-methyl-imidazolium triflate) [Tmi][Trif] are used. The nanofluids obtained from both substrates show, apart from high conductivity and viscosity, light absorption, and good wettability, an appealing thermal sensitivity behavior. This thermal sensitivity is preserved even when applied as thin films on glass slides and can be boosted using the surface plasmon resonance effect. The results reported demonstrate that the new Cdots/IL-based nanofluids constitute a versatile and cost-effective route for achieving high-performance thermosensitive non-Newtonian sustainable nanofluids with tremendous potential for the energy coatings sector and heat transfer film systems., This research was funded by National Funds by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and by FEDER funds through POCI-COMPETE 2020-Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalization in Axis I—Strengthening Research, Technological Development and Innovation (UID/QUI/00616/2013, UID/QUI/50006/2019, UID/ Multi/00709/2013, UID/QUI/00313/2019, UID/CTM/50025, POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-007491, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007688, UID/CTM/50025, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016884, PTDC/CTM-NAN/0956/2014, SAICT/ PAC/0032/2015, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016422, and NORTE-01-0145- FEDER-030858). R.F.P.P. acknowledges FCT-MCTES for SFRH/ BPD/87759/2012 grant. E. Pereira (FCUP, Porto) is acknowledged for her assistance

This work reports on the development of bending actuators based on poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA)/ionic liquid (IL) blends, through the incorporation of 40% wt. of the 1-ethyl-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Emim][TFSI]) IL. The films, obtained by solvent casting at room temperature and 50 &deg, C, were subjected to several post-thermal treatments at 70, 90, 120 and 140 &deg, C, in order to modify the crystallinity of the films. The influence of the drying temperature and of [Emim][TFSI] blending on the morphological, structural, mechanical and electrical properties of the composite materials were studied. The IL induced the formation of a porous surface independently of the processing conditions. Moreover, the [Emim][TFSI] dopant and the post-thermal treatments at 70 &deg, C promoted an increase of the degree of crystallinity of the samples. No significant changes were observed in the degree of crystallinity and Young Modulus for samples with thermal treatment between 70 and 140 &deg, C. The viability of the developed high ionic conductive blends for applications as soft actuators was evaluated. A maximum displacement of 1.7 mm was achieved with the PLLA/[Emim][TFSI] composite prepared at 50 &deg, C and thermally treated at 140 &deg, C, for an applied voltage of 10 Vpp, at a frequency of 100 mHz. This work highlights interesting avenues for the use of PLLA in the field of actuators.