MXene-Cobalt Hybrid Electrodes for Electroactive Artificial Muscle

The synthesis of MXene-cobalt hybrid (MX-Co) is presented utilizing a molten salt approach, targeting the application in artificial muscle technology. Mxenes possess exceptional electronic conductivity and surface chemistry, making them ideal candidates for electrochemical applications. Cobalt, known for its ferromagnetic qualities, is a good match for MXenes and enhances artificial muscles’ mechanical performance. By circumventing hazardous hydrofluoric (HF) acid, a facile and scalable synthesis process for MX-Co hybrids is demonstrated. Their structural and electrochemical characteristics are revealed through characterization using cutting-edge spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. When compared to typical PEDOT: PSS electrodes, electrochemical experiments show that MX-Co electrodes have higher electroactive performance, with enhanced bending deformation under various input conditions. MX-Co hybrids exhibit a specific capacitance of 77.34 F g⁻¹, 1.6 times higher than PEDOT: PSS, and achieve a substantial enhancement of electrochemical bending displacement, up to 11.72 mm under a low input voltage of 1 V, showcasing their potential for soft actuator applications.