Flexible Electronic and Ionic Composites with Actuation Functionalities

Functional nanocomposites play a critical role in the development of high-performance soft actuators and sensors applications which are attractive for soft electronics, soft robotics and wearables. This talk focuses on our design strategies, synthetic approaches and device mechanism in realizing functional electronic and ionic composites inspired by natural organisms. These soft and flexible materials and devices can be triggered by different stimuli such as light and electricity to deliver responsive and active functionalities. Interlayer spaces of 2D MXenes are ideal nanoreactors for introducing functionalization and facilitate nanofiller interactions. These interlayer galleries also allow spaces for insertion or deintercalation of ions during applied potential, leading to high in-plane sliding of MXene sheets for bending actuator. In addition, incorporation of conductive fillers like liquid metal into elastomer forms nanocomposites that are suitable for dielectric elastomer actuator. Furthermore, we explore electrochemically triggered actuation in nanocomposite electrodes based on ions intercalation and volumetric changes. The effect will be illustrated with ionic liquid based ternary electrodes for high performance ionic actuation with high stability and low-voltage operation, promising for applications in smart grippers, bioinspired robotics, and human-machine interface.