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Highly efficient ionic actuators enabled by sliding ring molecule actuation

Author

Listed:
  • Chao Lu

    (Soochow University)

  • Wei Chen

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Xiaohong Zhang

    (Soochow University)

Abstract

Ionic actuators with capability of electro-mechanical transduction are emerging as a useful platform for artificial intelligence and modern medical instruments. However, the insufficient ion transport inside material interfaces usually leads to limited energy transduction efficiency and energy density of actuators. Here, we report a polyrotaxane interface with adjustable ion transport based on sliding-ring effect for highly-efficient ionic actuators. The switch status of ion channels is synchronous with actuation strains, and energy barrier of interfacial ion transfer is reduced. As a result, the electro-mechanical transduction efficiency of actuators gets significantly improved. The as-delivered energy density of devices is stronger than that of mammalian skeletal muscle. Based on the high actuation performances, we demonstrate a fiber-shape soft actuator that can be directly injected into biological tissue just using syringe. The injectable actuator is promising for surgical navigation and physiological monitoring.

Suggested Citation

  • Chao Lu & Wei Chen & Xiaohong Zhang, 2025. "Highly efficient ionic actuators enabled by sliding ring molecule actuation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57893-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57893-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guan Wu & Ying Hu & Yang Liu & Jingjing Zhao & Xueli Chen & Vincent Whoehling & Cédric Plesse & Giao T. M. Nguyen & Frédéric Vidal & Wei Chen, 2015. "Graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet electrode-based high-performance ionic actuator," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, November.
    2. Onnuri Kim & Tae Joo Shin & Moon Jeong Park, 2013. "Fast low-voltage electroactive actuators using nanostructured polymer electrolytes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-9, October.
    3. Onnuri Kim & Hoon Kim & U. Hyeok Choi & Moon Jeong Park, 2016. "One-volt-driven superfast polymer actuators based on single-ion conductors," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, December.
    4. Chao Lu & Ying Yang & Jian Wang & Ruoping Fu & Xinxin Zhao & Lei Zhao & Yue Ming & Ying Hu & Hongzhen Lin & Xiaoming Tao & Yuliang Li & Wei Chen, 2018. "High-performance graphdiyne-based electrochemical actuators," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
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