Maximizing light-to-heat conversion of Ti3C2Tx MXene metamaterials with wrinkled surfaces for artificial actuators

Abstract 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...

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Main Authors: Hwansoo Shin, Woojae Jeong, Tae Hee Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-12-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54802-0
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author Hwansoo Shin
Woojae Jeong
Tae Hee Han
author_facet Hwansoo Shin
Woojae Jeong
Tae Hee Han
author_sort Hwansoo Shin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract 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.
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spelling doaj-art-ba883266c1074c7e9a370fd7d2f3fdf42024-12-08T12:36:42ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232024-12-0115111110.1038/s41467-024-54802-0Maximizing light-to-heat conversion of Ti3C2Tx MXene metamaterials with wrinkled surfaces for artificial actuatorsHwansoo Shin0Woojae Jeong1Tae Hee Han2Department of Organic and Nano Engineering, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Organic and Nano Engineering, Hanyang UniversityDepartment of Organic and Nano Engineering, Hanyang UniversityAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54802-0
spellingShingle Hwansoo Shin
Woojae Jeong
Tae Hee Han
Maximizing light-to-heat conversion of Ti3C2Tx MXene metamaterials with wrinkled surfaces for artificial actuators
Nature Communications
title Maximizing light-to-heat conversion of Ti3C2Tx MXene metamaterials with wrinkled surfaces for artificial actuators
title_full Maximizing light-to-heat conversion of Ti3C2Tx MXene metamaterials with wrinkled surfaces for artificial actuators
title_fullStr Maximizing light-to-heat conversion of Ti3C2Tx MXene metamaterials with wrinkled surfaces for artificial actuators
title_full_unstemmed Maximizing light-to-heat conversion of Ti3C2Tx MXene metamaterials with wrinkled surfaces for artificial actuators
title_short Maximizing light-to-heat conversion of Ti3C2Tx MXene metamaterials with wrinkled surfaces for artificial actuators
title_sort maximizing light to heat conversion of ti3c2tx mxene metamaterials with wrinkled surfaces for artificial actuators
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54802-0
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AT taeheehan maximizinglighttoheatconversionofti3c2txmxenemetamaterialswithwrinkledsurfacesforartificialactuators