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Additive-Free Ti3C2Tx MXene Actuator with Large Deformation, Programmability, and High-Humidity Stability via Precise
Haowen Zheng1, Liangliang Xu1, Qian Yan1
1National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Advanced Composites in Special Environments, Center for Composite Materials and Structures, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150080, P. R. China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|August 26, 2025
Summary
This study presents an additive-free MXene actuator with enhanced stability and large deformation. Novel annealing-rehydration technology precisely controls structure for improved performance, especially in humid conditions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Actuator Technology
Background:
- Current MXene actuators often use external substances or inert materials, risking property degradation and performance loss.
- MXene actuators face challenges with mechanical/electrical property degradation and stability issues, especially in high humidity.
- Existing methods limit multifunctional integration and sustainable applications of MXene-based actuators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate an additive-free Ti3C2Tx MXene actuator with multistimulus response, large deformation, and programmability.
- To enhance the structural and actuation performance stability of MXene actuators, particularly in high humidity environments.
- To develop a new paradigm for designing high-performance, sustainable MXene-based actuators.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an additive-free Ti3C2Tx MXene film with a gradient structure via sequential assembly of size-differentiated MXene nanosheets.
- Implementation of a cyclic low-temperature annealing-rehydration technology for precise control over interlayer d-spacing and initial shape.
- Characterization of the actuator's multistimulus response, large deformation capabilities, programmability, and stability under varying humidity.
Main Results:
- Achieved an additive-free Ti3C2Tx MXene actuator exhibiting multistimulus response and large deformation.
- Demonstrated significantly improved structural and actuation performance stability, especially under high humidity conditions.
- The proposed technology precisely controls interlayer spacing and actuation behavior, overcoming limitations of conventional methods.
Conclusions:
- This work establishes a new design strategy for high-performance MXene-based actuators.
- The findings deepen the understanding of interlayer engineering in 2D materials.
- This research lays the foundation for next-generation sustainable intelligent materials and devices.
