Multifunctional Liquid‐Free Ionic Conductive Elastomer Fabricated by Liquid Metal Induced Polymerization. (1st June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Ming; Lai, Zhibin; Jin, Xiaolin; Sun, Taolin; Liu, Hongchen; Qi, Haisong
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 31:Number 32(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-06-01
• Subjects: free radicals -- liquid metal -- liquid‐free conductive elastomer -- self‐healing -- sensors; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202101957
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract: Novel liquid‐free ionic conductive elastomers are fabricated by the polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) in polymerizable deep eutectic solvent (PDES). Liquid metal (LM) nanodroplets are used to initiate and further cross‐link polyacrylic acid (PAA) chains into a liquid‐free polymeric network without any extra initiators and cross‐linkers. The resulting liquid‐free ionic conductive elastomers exhibit high transparency (94.1%), ultra‐stretchability (2600%), and autonomous self‐healing. Spin trapping electron paramagnetic resonance and dye fading experiments reveal the generation of free radicals. UV–visible spectrometry and viscosity tests demonstrate the cross‐linking effect of Ga 3+ . The gelation time is much shorter than that of the conventional ammonium persulfate thermal initiation process. Furthermore, this liquid‐free polymer material is intrinsically resistant to freezing and drying, enabling it to operate under harsh conditions. In consideration of transparency, self‐healing, ultra‐stretchability, moldability, and sensory features, the resulting elastomeric conductor may hold promise for industrial applications in wearable devices, force mapping, and flexible electroluminescent devices. Abstract : Liquid metal‐acrylic acid nanodroplets can initiate a free radical polymerization of polymerizable deep eutectic solvent and further release multivalent cations of Ga to cross‐link polyacrylic acid into a highly transparent (94.1%), ultra‐stretchable (2600%), and autonomous self‐healing liquid‐free ionic conductive elastomer (0.13 S m –1 ) without any extra initiators and crosslinkers.