Bioinspired MXene-Polymer Actuators with “Two-Way Traffic” and Positive Feedback Loops

TY - JOUR

T1 - Bioinspired MXene-Polymer Actuators with “Two-Way Traffic” and Positive Feedback Loops

AU - Wu, Linshan

AU - Liu, Jianhua

AU - Xia, Huanxiong

AU - Liu, Peng

AU - Zhang, Runxia

AU - Hua, Xuchen

AU - Zhang, Wang

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH.

PY - 2026/4/16

Y1 - 2026/4/16

N2 - The development of soft actuators capable of large, reversible deformation under multiple stimuli is crucial for next-generation intelligent and bioinspired systems. However, most reported multistimulus actuators rely on the simple superposition of independent driving mechanisms, lacking true coupling or synergy. Here, we report a biomimetic “two-way traffic” MXene–polymer actuator that achieves bidirectional, ultra-wide deformation through a synergistic light–moisture feedback mechanism. Inspired by the brick–mortar structure of nacre, a tannic acid (TA)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/carbon nanofiber (CNF)/MXene composite film is fabricated and combined with a PTFE layer to construct a TPCM actuator with tunable mechanical strength (tensile strength up to 132.05 MPa, modulus 121.31 MPa). Under alternating light and humidity stimulation, photothermal heating and moisture absorption cooperatively modulate hydrogen bonding and polymer chain mobility, generating a positive feedback loop that amplifies actuation. The actuator exhibits bidirectional bending angles up to 261° (light) and 273° (humidity)—significantly exceeding deformation limits of single-stimulus systems. Leveraging this mechanism, bionic crawling robots, claw-like grippers, and water-lily-inspired structures are realized, and a soft optical shutters model is demonstrated. This work introduces a new paradigm for synergistically coupled multi-stimuli actuators, offering a general strategy for designing adaptive, high-performance MXene-based soft robotic systems.

AB - The development of soft actuators capable of large, reversible deformation under multiple stimuli is crucial for next-generation intelligent and bioinspired systems. However, most reported multistimulus actuators rely on the simple superposition of independent driving mechanisms, lacking true coupling or synergy. Here, we report a biomimetic “two-way traffic” MXene–polymer actuator that achieves bidirectional, ultra-wide deformation through a synergistic light–moisture feedback mechanism. Inspired by the brick–mortar structure of nacre, a tannic acid (TA)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/carbon nanofiber (CNF)/MXene composite film is fabricated and combined with a PTFE layer to construct a TPCM actuator with tunable mechanical strength (tensile strength up to 132.05 MPa, modulus 121.31 MPa). Under alternating light and humidity stimulation, photothermal heating and moisture absorption cooperatively modulate hydrogen bonding and polymer chain mobility, generating a positive feedback loop that amplifies actuation. The actuator exhibits bidirectional bending angles up to 261° (light) and 273° (humidity)—significantly exceeding deformation limits of single-stimulus systems. Leveraging this mechanism, bionic crawling robots, claw-like grippers, and water-lily-inspired structures are realized, and a soft optical shutters model is demonstrated. This work introduces a new paradigm for synergistically coupled multi-stimuli actuators, offering a general strategy for designing adaptive, high-performance MXene-based soft robotic systems.

KW - MXene

KW - actuator

KW - bionic

KW - light-moisture synergy

KW - tensile strength

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105025596442

U2 - 10.1002/adfm.202529003

DO - 10.1002/adfm.202529003

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105025596442

SN - 1616-301X

VL - 36

JO - Advanced Functional Materials

JF - Advanced Functional Materials

IS - 31

M1 - e29003

ER -