Soft actuators capable of converting environmental stimuli into controlled mechanical motion are essential for the advancement of soft robotics, intelligent systems, and bioinspired devices. A research team has now developed a multi-responsive MXene-based actuator that combines programmable deformation with sensitivity to humidity, light, and magnetic fields.
The study was conducted by researchers at Taiyuan University of Technology and reports a bilayer actuator composed of a micro-ridge-structured MXene film and a paraffin wax (PW)/Fe 3 O 4 composite layer. The actuator exploits differences in hydrophilicity and thermal expansion between the two layers to generate reversible deformation under external stimuli.
MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x ), a two-dimensional transition metal carbide, exhibits high electrical and thermal conductivity, strong photothermal conversion capability, and abundant surface functional groups that confer hydrophilicity. In the reported actuator, the MXene layer functions as the active layer, absorbing and releasing water molecules in response to humidity changes. In contrast, the PW/Fe 3 O 4 layer is hydrophobic and humidity-insensitive, but responds to heat and magnetic fields. The resulting mismatch in strain at the interface drives bending and twisting motions of the bilayer structure.
A distinguishing feature of the work is the introduction of micro-ridge structures on the MXene surface. By controlling the orientation of these micro-ridges, the researchers were able to program the deformation pathway of the actuator, enabling it to form helical, twisted, and other complex three-dimensional shapes. In addition, individual actuator units can be assembled into larger structures through a heat-welding process, further expanding the range of achievable configurations.
The actuator demonstrated stable and repeatable responses under multiple stimuli. Under high humidity, the MXene layer swells, causing the actuator to bend toward the PW/Fe 3 O 4 side. Under light irradiation, photothermal heating leads to opposite bending due to differential thermal expansion and water desorption. The incorporation of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles enables magnetic-field-driven actuation and remote manipulation. The device maintained consistent performance over repeated actuation cycles, indicating good durability and interlayer stability.
To demonstrate potential applications, the team constructed several soft robotic systems, including a humidity- and light-responsive biomimetic flower, a spiral gripper capable of lifting objects significantly heavier than its own weight, and a maze robot that performs grasping, transport, and release through coordinated control of humidity, light, and magnetic fields.
According to the researchers, the combination of multi-responsiveness and programmable deformation addresses key limitations of existing MXene-based actuators, which often exhibit simple deformation modes or respond to only a single stimulus. The proposed design strategy provides a scalable and versatile platform for future soft actuators.
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. 52205599), the Youth Science Fund Program of Shanxi Province (202203021212203), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2024M752361).
D OI Link:
https://doi.org/10.26599/NR.2026.94908346
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Team led by Sang Shengbo at Taiyuan University of Technology develops programmable multi-response MXene actuator based on micro-ridge structures
8-May-2026