Shin Hwansoo, Jeong Woojae, Han Tae Hee
Department of Organic and Nano Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Human-Tech Convergence Program, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Nat Commun. 2024 Dec 3;15(1):10507. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54802-0.
MXene, a promising photothermal nanomaterial, faces challenges due to densely stacked nanosheets with high refractive index (RI). To maximize photothermal performance, MXene metamaterials (m-MXenes) are developed with a superlattice with alternating MXene and organic layers, reducing RI and inducing multiple light reflections. This approach increases light absorption, inducing 90% photothermal conversion efficiency. The m-MXene is coated onto liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) fibers, as actuating platforms via a dip-coating (m-MXene/aLCE fiber), exhibiting excellent light-driven actuating owing to the synergetic effect of the patterned m-MXene laysers by structural deformation. The m-MXene/aLCE fibers lift ~6,900 times their weight and exhibit a work density 6 times higher than that of human skeletal muscle. It is applied to artificial muscles, grippers, and a bistable structure (a shooting device, and switchable gripper). Our study offers an effective strategy to enhance light absorption in 2D nanomaterials and contributes to advancements in photothermal technologies in various fields.
MXene是一种很有前景的光热纳米材料，但由于其具有高折射率（RI）的紧密堆叠纳米片，面临着挑战。为了最大化光热性能，人们开发了具有交替的MXene和有机层的超晶格结构的MXene超材料（m-MXene），降低了折射率并引发多次光反射。这种方法增加了光吸收，实现了90%的光热转换效率。通过浸涂法将m-MXene涂覆在液晶弹性体（LCE）纤维上作为驱动平台（m-MXene/aLCE纤维），由于图案化的m-MXene层通过结构变形产生协同效应，表现出优异的光驱动驱动性能。m-MXene/aLCE纤维能提起比自身重量重约6900倍的物体，其功密度比人类骨骼肌高6倍。它被应用于人造肌肉、夹具和双稳态结构（射击装置和可切换夹具）。我们的研究提供了一种增强二维纳米材料光吸收的有效策略，并有助于推动光热技术在各个领域的发展。
