Programmable Wrinkled MXene-Based Soft Actuators with Moisture- and Light-Responsive Deformation and Water-Surface...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Robotics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Soft actuators traditionally face limitations with single-mode driving, hindering complex, multidimensional movements.
• Developing actuators with programmable motion capabilities is crucial for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a multiresponsive soft actuator with programmable motion capabilities.
• To overcome the limitations of single-mode driving in soft actuators.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a microwrinkled MXene-based film using n-hexane for anisotropic shrinkage.
• Integration of microwrinkling into MXene films to create programmable soft actuators.
• Utilizing moisture absorption and photothermal properties of MXene for actuation.

Main Results:

• The developed actuator exhibits rapid, large-bending deformation in response to moisture gradients and light.
• Anisotropic expansion and mechanical properties enable programmable 3D shape control.
• Light-driven propulsion on water surfaces was achieved using the Marangoni effect.

Conclusions:

• The MXene-based microwrinkled soft actuator offers multiresponsive, programmable motion control.
• This technology demonstrates potential for biomimetic models, crawlers, and aquatic transport devices.
• The actuator shows excellent stability, durability, and fast actuation speeds.