Eco-Friendly Bionic Flexible Multifunctional Sensors Based on Biomass–MXene Composites - Research Article - eco-friendly multifunctional sensor fabrication and performance

Sep 21, 2026

Flexible multifunctional sensors enable intuitive sensing across diverse environments, yet many reported designs lack visual signal display, suffer from restricted operating conditions, and show limited resistance to electromagnetic interference. They also raise environmental concerns when disposed of through landfill or incineration. This work prepares a trilayer MXene–gelatin–water-based multiporous membrane composite (TGM) with a hierarchically ordered bionic heterostructure. The structure achieves strong pressure sensing in air and underwater, actuation under IR, moisture, and heating, integrated visual monitoring of temperature and humidity, efficient electromagnetic shielding, and good degradation performance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Motivation for multifunctional flexible sensors

Role of MXene and biomass-based substrates

Challenges and mitigation strategies

Materials and structural concept

Trilayer TGM fabrication and bionic heterostructure

UC Santa Cruz UC Santa Cruz Previously Published Works Title Eco-Friendly Bionic Flexible Multifunctional Sensors Based on Biomass–MXene Composites Permalink [https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7p45c80t](https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7p45c80t) Journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 11(15) ISSN 2168-0485 Authors Zheng, Chi Gao, Dangge Lyu, Binet al. Publication Date 2023-04-17 DOI 10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c04712 Copyright Information This work is made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution License, available at [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Peer reviewed [eScholarship.org](eScholarship.org) Powered by the California Digital Library University of California [pubs.acs.org/journal/ascecg](pubs.acs.org/journal/ascecg) Research Article Eco-Friendly Bionic Flexible Multifunctional Sensors Based on Biomass−MXene Composites Chi Zheng, Dangge Gao, * Bin Lyu, Yingying Zhou, Ailin Zhang, Yu Gu, Jianzhong Ma, * Davida Briana DuBois, and Shaowei Chen * Cite This: ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2023, 11, 5834−5844 Read Online Downloaded via UNIV OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ on April 24, 2023 at 21:53:46 (UTC) . See [https://pubs.acs.org/sharingguidelines](https://pubs.acs.org/sharingguidelines) for options on how to legitimately share published articles. ACCESS Metrics & More Article Recommendations *sı Supporting Information ABSTRACT: Flexible sensors with multifunctions have attracted great attention for their extensive application values. Most of the reported multifunctional flexible sensors lack the intuitive signal display function, have limitations of work environment, and are weakly resistant to electromagnetic waves, and the landfill and incineration of the sensor wastes could pose irreversible damage to the environment. Herein, a trilayer composite (referred to as TGM) is prepared by the layer-by-layer assembly of MXene, gelatin, and a water-based multiporous membrane (WMM), which exhibits a hierarchically ordered bionic heterostructure. The toplayer is multilayers of MXene nanosheets, the middle layer consists of artificial neural cages and synapses from an MXene@gelatin structure, and the bottom layer is a brick-mortar mimic of MXene@WMM. The resulting TGM heterostructure displays excellent performance in pressure sensing both in air and under water due to the ready variation of the electrical conductivity with applied pressures. The TGM composite also shows an apparent actuation response under IR, moisture, and heating stimulations. These multifunctional characteristics can be integrated for visual sensing of environmental temperature and humidity. Additionally, the composite possesses efficient electromagnetic shielding and shows great degradation. Results from this study highlight the unique potential of MXene−biomass composites in the development of eco-friendly multifunctional sensors. KEYWORDS: Ti3 C2Tx MXene, gelatin, bionic structure, sensing, actuating, electromagnetic shielding, eco-friendly ■ INTRODUCTION Smart flexible sensors have found diverse applications in, for instance, medical diagnostics and therapy, bionic intelligent robotics, and human−computer interactions. 1−3 Among these, multifunctional smart and interactive electronic sensors are of particular interest,4,5 where the selection of an appropriate substrate is critical in endowing the flexible sensors with various functions, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) for self-healing,6 poly(dimethylsiloxane) for self-cleaning,7 and luminous thermoplastic urethane for visualization sensing.8 Such substrates can be divided into two categories, synthetic polymers and natural biomass. The latter has been attracting extensive interest because of their biocompatibility and biodegradability. For instance, gelatin has been used in flexible sensors due to its abundant functional groups, unique triplehelix structure, and

FAQs

What is the trilayer composite (TGM) prepared in this study?

TGM is produced by layer-by-layer assembly of MXene, gelatin, and a water-based multiporous membrane, forming a hierarchically ordered bionic heterostructure.

How does the TGM composite perform under pressure in different environments?

It shows excellent pressure-sensing performance in both air and water, enabled by readily varying electrical conductivity with applied pressure.

What multifunctional functions does the TGM composite demonstrate beyond pressure sensing?

It provides IR/moisture/heating-driven actuation, enables visual sensing of environmental temperature and humidity, and offers efficient electromagnetic shielding with good degradation behavior.

Sep 21, 2026

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