Liang Yin

Bio: Liang Yin is an academic researcher from Harbin Institute of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Electrical conductor & Titanium carbide. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 32 citations.

Highly Conductive MXene Film Actuator Based on Moisture Gradients

Abstract: MXene (Ti3 C2 Tx ) is a new 2D material with both hydrophilicity and high electrical conductivity, and it has shown promise in smart electronic devices. Reported herein is a homogeneous MXene film actuator with high electrical conductivity triggered by moisture gradients. The actuator is highly sensitive to moisture and undergoes deformation, with the maximum bending angle as high as 155° at a relative humidity difference of 65 %. Several analysis methods show that the humidity drive and large deformation of the MXene film occur in situ by asymmetric expansion of the bilayer structure. The combination of deformation and electrical conductivity makes this film applicable to flexible excavators, electrical switches, and other fields, applications that are difficult to achieve directly by using other 2D materials. More importantly, this work further expands the new application range of MXene materials and provides new opportunities for building the next generation of high-conductivity smart actuators.

Binder-Free Ti3C2Tx MXene Doughs with High Redispersibility

Abstract: Two-dimensional titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) has accumulated tremendous interest due to its high electrical conductivity combined with hydrophilicity. However, Ti3C2Tx MXene is prone to oxidative det...

Near-Infrared Light-Driven Shape-Morphing of Programmable Anisotropic Hydrogels Enabled by MXene Nanosheets

Abstract: Herein, we report near-infrared (NIR) light-driven shape-morphing of programmable MXene-containing anisotropic hydrogel actuators that are fabricated through in situ free-radical copolymerization of a judiciously designed MXene nanomonomer with thermosensitive hydrogel network. A low electric field (few V mm-1 ) was found to enable a spatial distribution of MXene nanosheets and hence introduce anisotropy into the hydrogel network. Programmable anisotropic hydrogel actuators were developed by controlling ITO electrode pattern, direct-current (DC) electric field direction and mask-assisted photopolymerization. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate NIR light-driven shape morphing of the MXene-containing anisotropic hydrogel into various shapes and devise a four-arm soft gripper that can perform distinct photomechanical functions such as grasping, lifting/lowering down and releasing an object upon sequential NIR light exposure.

Self-Locomotive Soft Actuator Based on Asymmetric Microstructural Ti3C2Tx MXene Film Driven by Natural Sunlight Fluctuation.

Abstract: Soft actuators and microrobots that can move spontaneously and continuously without artificial energy supply and intervention have great potential in industrial, environmental, and military applications, but still remain a challenge. Here, a bioinspired MXene-based bimorph actuator with an asymmetric layered microstructure is reported, which can harness natural sunlight to achieve directional self-locomotion. We fabricate a freestanding MXene film with an increased and asymmetric layered microstructure through the graft of coupling agents into the MXene nanosheets. Owing to the excellent photothermal effect of MXene nanosheets, increased interlayer spacing favoring intercalation/deintercalation of water molecules and its caused reversible volume change, and the asymmetric microstructure, this film exhibits light-driven deformation with a macroscopic and fast response. Based on it, a soft bimorph actuator with ultrahigh response to solar energy is fabricated, showing natural sunlight-driven actuation with ultralarge amplitude and fast response (346° in 1 s). By utilizing continuous bending deformation of the bimorph actuator in response to the change of natural sunlight intensity and biomimetic design of an inchworm to rectify the repeated bending deformation, an inchwormlike soft robot is constructed, achieving directional self-locomotion without any artificial energy and control. Moreover, soft arms for lifting objects driven by natural sunlight and wearable smart ornaments that are combined with clothing and produce three-dimensional deformation under natural sunlight are also developed. These results provide a strategy for developing natural sunlight-driven soft actuators and reveal great application prospects of this photoactuator in sunlight-driven soft biomimetic robots, intelligent solar-energy-driven devices in space, and wearable clothing.

Flexible, biocompatible and highly conductive MXene-graphene oxide film for smart actuator and humidity sensor

Abstract: The evaporation of water occurs ubiquitously on earth. Hence, smart materials that can directly convert signals generated via water stimulation into mechanical motion have attracted wide attention. However, it is still a challenge to develop novel functional materials with fast response, large scale deformation, and long-term stability for moisture-gradient actuators. Here, a flexible, conductive, layer-structured homogenous Ti3C2TX MXene-graphene oxide (MGO) film-based moisture-driven actuator and humidity sensor were fabricated. The oxygen groups and d-spacing could be effectively adjusted by MXene/GO composition ratio, thereby tuning the actuation performance. MGO3 (MXene/GO = 3) displayed a large bending angle, and reversible deformation. And the bending speed of MGO3 is up to 32°s−1. Furthermore, MGO3 actuation displayed long-term stability via suppression of MXene oxidation by the introduction of GO and showed good cycling stability. MGO3 actuators are constructed, which could mimic the blooming of flower, lifting and carrying objects, and be used as a non-contact control switch. In addition, MGO3 showed a linear sensitive response to humidity and excellent biocompatibility which make it suitable for respiratory monitoring. This work demonstrated that flexible, biocompatibility and conductive MGO films have broad application prospects in the fields of smart actuators, sensing devices, and biology and health care.