Nacre-inspired moisture-responsive graphene actuators with robustness and self-healing properties

Abstract

Inspired by the robustness of nacre's structure, moisture-responsive actuators with high mechanical strength and self-healing properties were successfully developed based on graphene oxide and cellulose fiber hybrids.

Materials, Actuators, and Sensors for Soft Bioinspired Robots

“…This feature has demonstrated the potential for moisture-responsive artificial muscles used toward bioinspired soft robotics. [26][27][28][29][30][31] Graphene, GO, and reduced GO (RGO, highly reduced graphene (HRG)) expand in response to changes in temperature. Thermal expansion of these materials has recently been exploited by many researchers interested in light-activated actuation for artificial muscles.…”

“…During the past 4 years, researchers have produced soft bioinspired actuators and sensors using biological material such as muscle tissue, [23,24] and plant fibers; [25] carbon-based materials such as graphite and graphene oxide (GO) [26][27][28][29][30][31] and carbon nanotubes (CN); [32,33] hydrogel materials such as poly(Nisopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), [34,35] liquid crystal elastomers (LCE), [36] dielectric elastomers (DE), [37] and ionic polymermetal composites (IPMC). [38] An overview of these materials (Figure 1), along with their underlying mechanisms, are discussed below.…”

“…[143,144] These studies have led to the development of many actuators with nacre-like structures. [29,31,145] Besides improving mechanical properties, the idea of developing composite GO actuators has led to additional functionalities. Inspired by water lilies, Xiang et al developed a 3D structure made of GO layers, poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylene) (PVA-co-PE) nanofibers (NFs), and silver nanowires (AgNWs).…”

“…Presently, a diversified list of materials has been used in the development of soft robotic systems. This section will cover some of the latest advancements in the last 4 years in the area of material selection and composition for the design and development of soft bioinspired actuators and sensors.During the past 4 years, researchers have produced soft bioinspired actuators and sensors using biological material such as muscle tissue, [23,24] and plant fibers; [25] carbon-based materials such as graphite and graphene oxide (GO) [26][27][28][29][30][31] and carbon nanotubes (CN); [32,33] hydrogel materials such as poly(Nisopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), [34,35] liquid crystal elastomers (LCE), [36] dielectric elastomers (DE), [37] and ionic polymermetal composites (IPMC). [38] An overview of these materials (Figure 1), along with their underlying mechanisms, are discussed below.Biological systems can perform complex tasks with high compliance levels.…”

Interfacial Fabrication of CNTs/PVDF Bilayer Actuator with Fast Responses to the Light and Organic Solvent Vapor Stimuli

“…For example, carbon nanomaterials like carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene serve as joule/ photothermal conversion materials that can be employed to fabricate electrical or photodriven actuators. [9] Combining with these carbon nanomaterials, some responsive polymer such as cellulose, [10] polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), [11] or polypropylene [12] are further used to construct multistimuli responsive actuators that response to solvent vapors, light, and electrical stimuli.…”