Bioinspired MXene-Based Soft Actuators Exhibiting Angle-Independent Structural Color

In nature,many living organisms exhibiting unique structural coloration and soft-bodied actuation have inspired scientists to develop advanced structural colored soft actuators toward biomimetic soft robots.However,it is challenging to simultaneously biomimic the angle-independent structural color and shape-morphing capabilities found in the plum-throated cotinga flying bird.Herein,we report biomimetic MXene-based soft actuators with angle-independent structural color that are fabricated through controlled self-assembly of colloidal SiO_(2) nanoparticles onto highly aligned MXene films followed by vacuum-assisted infiltration of polyvinylidene fluoride into the interstices.The resulting soft actuators are found to exhibit brilliant,angle-independent structural color,as well as ultrafast actuation and recovery speeds(a maximum curvature of 0.52 mm−1 can be achieved within 1.16 s,and a recovery time of~0.24 s)in response to acetone vapor.As proof-of-concept illustrations,structural colored soft actuators are applied to demonstrate a blue gripper-like bird’s claw that can capture the target,artificial green tendrils that can twine around tree branches,and an artificial multicolored butterfly that can flutter its wings upon cyclic exposure to acetone vapor.The strategy is expected to offer new insights into the development of biomimetic multifunctional soft actuators for somatosensory soft robotics and next-generation intelligent machines.

Bacterial Cellulose-Based Janus Films with Radiative Cooling and Solar Heating Properties for All-Season Thermal Management

Advanced radiative cooling materials with both heating and cooling mode is of pivotal importance for all-season energy-saving in buildings.In this work,we report the design and fabrication of bacterial cellulose-based Janus films(J-BC)with radiative cooling and solar heating properties,which were developed by two-step vacuum-assisted filtration of modified MXene-doped bacterial cellulose and modified silicon nitride(Si_(3)N_(4))-doped bacterial cellulose,followed by hot-pressing and drying treatments.The as-prepared J-BC films show a unique Janus structure where modified MXene nanosheets and cellulose nanofibers are on the bottom surface,and modified silicon nitride(Si_(3)N_(4))nanoparticles and cellulose nanofibers are on the top surface.The radiative cooling effect of J-BC films is enabled by the Si_(3)N_(4)-doped bacterial cellulose due to the high mid-infrared emissivity of Si_(3)N_(4) nanoparticles,which shows a high solar reflection of~98.1%and high emissivity of~93.6%in the atmospheric transparency window(8-13μm).Thanks to the enhanced photothermal conversion of the modified MXene nanosheets,a reduced solar reflection(6.6%)and relatively low thermal emissivity in the atmospheric window(71.4%)are achieved,making sure the solar heating effect of J-BC films.In the outdoor tests,J-BC films achieve a sub-ambient temperature drop of~3.8°C and an above-ambient temperature rise of~14.2°C.Numerical prediction demonstrated that the J-BC films with dual modes have great potential of all-season energy saving for buildings and a corresponding energy-saving map in China is also created.The work disclosed herein can provide an avenue for the shaping of advanced radiative cooling materials for emerging applications of personal thermal management,sustainable energy-efficient buildings,and beyond.

Liquid crystal-templated chiral nanomaterials: from chiral plasmonics to circularly polarized luminescence

Chiral nanomaterials with intrinsic chirality or spatial asymmetry at the nanoscale are currently in the limelight of both fundamental research and diverse important technological applications due to their unprecedented physicochemical characteristics such as intense light-matter interactions, enhanced circular dichroism, and strong circularly polarized luminescence. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art advances in liquid crystal-templated chiral nanomaterials. The chiroptical properties of chiral nanomaterials are touched, and their fundamental design principles and bottom-up synthesis strategies are discussed. Different chiral functional nanomaterials based on liquid-crystalline soft templates, including chiral plasmonic nanomaterials and chiral luminescent nanomaterials, are systematically introduced, and their underlying mechanisms, properties, and potential applications are emphasized. This review concludes with a perspective on the emerging applications, challenges, and future opportunities of such fascinating chiral nanomaterials. This review can not only deepen our understanding of the fundamentals of soft-matter chirality, but also shine light on the development of advanced chiral functional nanomaterials toward their versatile applications in optics, biology, catalysis, electronics, and beyond.