Directional Motion of Asymmetric Self-Propelling MXene Films
Chemically driven actuators capable of directional motion have attracted considerable attention for their autonomy, sustainability, and versatility[1]. However, conventional enzyme-based actuators often suffer from limitations such as high cost and insufficient control over orientation. In this work, we demonstrate a simple yet effective method to achieve directional propulsion by integrating catalase enzymes into centimeter-scale MXene (Ti₃C₂Tₓ) films[2]. Through numerical simulations performed with COMSOL Multiphysics®, we successfully reproduced the directional and complex motion behaviors observed in experiments. The model accurately captured one-dimensional linear propulsion, showing good agreement with experimental measurements. Furthermore, in two-dimensional configurations, the simulations enabled precise chiral control of the catalytic sheets, including dynamic switching of rotational direction from clockwise to counterclockwise. These findings highlight the potential of combining biocompatible materials with computational modeling to design adaptive actuators for applications in environmental remediation, targeted cargo transport, and biomedical devices. This integrated approach provides a robust framework for advancing the development of intelligent soft robots.
