Methanol-detection by acrylate-based composite polymer film actuation

We demonstrate a proof-of-concept approach for VOC detection based on the mechanical bending of acrylate-based composite polymer films. Under ambient conditions, methanol vapours induce a rapid and reversible defor- mation of the film, which is optically observable and quantitatively described through a viscoelastic three-parameter solid model coupled to pseudo-first- order adsorption kinetics. The bending response differs markedly between methanol, water, and mixed vapours, revealing a strong dependence on sur- face adsorption dynamics. The acrylate backbone is identified as the active sensing layer, capable of transducing molecular interactions into macroscopic deflection. These findings establish acrylate polymers as a simple, low-cost platform for passive VOC-responsive materials and highlight their potential for future development into calibrated sensing devices. • Acrylate composite films show reproducible ambient methanol vapours- induced bending. • Bending response is optically measurable without dedicated sensing hardware. • Differential MeOH vs water actuation demonstrated as proof-of-concept. • Viscoelastic–adsorption model accounts for the bending dynamics. • Low-cost materials enable future development of passive VOC-responsive actuators.