High‐performance carboxylated cellulose nanofibers‐based electro‐responsive ionic artificial muscles toward bioinspired applications

Abstract Highly electro‐responsive soft actuators have aroused immense attention due to their large bending deformation, fast response time, and long durability under low driving voltage. Herein we present a high‐performance ionic soft actuator using carboxylated cellulose nanofiber (CCNF), ionic liquid (IL), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The proposed actuator displayed excellent actuation performances such as a large bending strain of 0.41% (peak‐to‐peak displacement of 13.6 mm), specific capacitance up to 43%, long working ability (95% maintain for 2.5 h), significantly reduced phase delay, and broad frequency bandwidth (0.1–3.0 Hz), all of which were ascribed to the strong ionic interactions of CCNF with PVA and IL. Simultaneously, bionic applications of the actuators were achieved including the active stent, bionic gripper, and bionic fingers for sliding electronic photos and human‐robot interactions. Thus, the proposed actuator provides a way for the advancement of next‐generation artificial muscles, soft robots, and human‐robot interactions. Highlights Preparing an electro‐ionic actuator using carboxylated cellulose nanofibers. Ionic interactions and cross‐linking promoting ion transport capability. The actuator displaying excellent actuation responses and bioinspired applications.