Yang Liang, Du Yurun, Wang Hong, Yang Yanning, Jia Liangsheng, Ning Hao
School of Physics and Electronic Information, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, China; Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Intelligent Processing for Big Energy Data, Yan'an, 716000, China.
School of Physics and Electronic Information, Yan'an University, Yan'an, 716000, China.
Acta Biomater. 2025 Jul 24. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2025.07.052.
The persistent challenges of miniaturization, energy inefficiency, and mechanical rigidity in conventional actuators have driven a paradigm shift toward bio-inspired material systems. The conductive polymer actuators (CPAs) exhibit unprecedented advantages in bio-integrated systems, characterized by millivolt-level electrochemical responsiveness, dynamic biomimetic proprioception, and tissue-like deformability. These attributes not only transcend the limitations of traditional actuation mechanisms but also create synergistic material-structure-function relationships with biological environments. This review systematically summarizes the current progress and future trends of CPAs, with a focus on their fundamental characteristics, actuation mechanisms, design strategies, and application domains. The paper first elaborates on the fundamental characteristics of CPs, including low-voltage operation, high-efficiency response, superior flexibility/elasticity, self-sensing capabilities, cost-effectiveness/scalability, and environmental adaptability. Subsequently, it analyzes critical actuation mechanisms (redox-triggered shape morphing and ion migration-induced volumetric expansion), elucidating the underlying physicochemical principles. Furthermore, the review comprehensively discusses design strategies for CPAs, encompassing material modification, structural design, and system-level integration. Finally, representative applications are highlighted in cutting-edge fields such as biomedical and micromechanical systems, high-efficiency energy storage, smart wearable devices, bionics and robotics, along with perspectives on future research directions. This work not only provides theoretical foundations and technical guidelines for researchers but also fosters interdisciplinary collaborations, emphasizing the pivotal role of CPAs in advancing next-generation technologies. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This review provides a comprehensive overview of conductive polymer actuators (CPAs), highlighting their unique bioadaptive characteristics and versatile applications. By focusing on low-voltage operation, high flexibility, and self-sensing capabilities, this work underscores the potential of CPAs to revolutionize biomedical devices, smart wearables, and soft robotics. It bridges interdisciplinary fields, offering a unified framework for researchers to advance next-generation biomaterials. This review serves as a valuable guide for future research, emphasizing the transformative impact of CPAs on modern biomaterials and their critical role in addressing current technological challenges.
传统致动器在小型化、能源效率低下和机械刚性方面一直面临挑战，这推动了向受生物启发的材料系统的范式转变。导电聚合物致动器（CPA）在生物集成系统中展现出前所未有的优势，其特点是具有毫伏级的电化学响应性、动态仿生本体感受和类似组织的可变形性。这些特性不仅超越了传统致动机制的局限性，还与生物环境建立了协同的材料 - 结构 - 功能关系。本综述系统地总结了CPA的当前进展和未来趋势，重点关注其基本特性、致动机制、设计策略和应用领域。本文首先阐述了CP的基本特性，包括低电压运行、高效响应、卓越的柔韧性/弹性、自感知能力、成本效益/可扩展性以及环境适应性。随后，分析了关键的致动机制（氧化还原触发的形状变形和离子迁移引起的体积膨胀），阐明了潜在的物理化学原理。此外，综述全面讨论了CPA的设计策略，包括材料改性、结构设计和系统级集成。最后，在生物医学和微机械系统、高效储能、智能可穿戴设备、仿生学和机器人技术等前沿领域突出了代表性应用，并展望了未来的研究方向。这项工作不仅为研究人员提供了理论基础和技术指导，还促进了跨学科合作，强调了CPA在推动下一代技术方面的关键作用。重要性声明：本综述全面概述了导电聚合物致动器（CPA），突出了其独特的生物适应性特征和广泛的应用。通过关注低电压运行、高柔韧性和自感知能力，这项工作强调了CPA在革新生物医学设备、智能可穿戴设备和软机器人方面的潜力。它架起了跨学科领域的桥梁，为研究人员推进下一代生物材料提供了统一框架。本综述作为未来研究的宝贵指南，强调了CPA对现代生物材料的变革性影响及其在应对当前技术挑战中的关键作用。
