Bioinspired Ionic Elastomer with Skin‐Like Piezo‐Ionic Dynamics Enabled by a Self‐Confined Multi‐Interaction Network
Abstract Soft ionic elastomers have attracted considerable research interest in mimicking the multiple functions of human skin. However, these ionic elastomers struggle to simultaneously achieve controllable ion dynamics and other essential performance, such as self‐healing ability and appropriate mechanical robustness. Herein, bioinspired by Piezo proteins and integrins in human skin, thioctic acid (TA)‐derived ionic elastomers with skin‐like piezo‐ionic dynamics are fabricated via a multi‐confined interaction network. This bionic network is constructed by introducing a diene comonomer and lithium salt filler into polysulfides (poly (TA)), generating many dynamic interactions (various hydrogen bonds and lithium bonds). These dynamic interactions can bind ions to the polysulfides and be destroyed under external pressure stimulation, achieving controllable ion pumping behavior. This unique design concept enables these ionic elastomers to selectively respond to pressure (the optimal sample exhibits 152 times signal intensity with a sensitivity of 49.53‐1.13 kPa −1 ), along with leak prevention, recyclability, and degradability. Besides, these interactions also serve as sacrificial bonds and self‐healing sites to synergistically enhance all aspects of performance, yielding a high modulus of 2.47 MPa and outstanding self‐healing efficiency of 98%. It is believed that this work could create a new approach for utilizing sustainable materials in next‐generation “green” flexible sensors.
Authors
- Dianpeng Qi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8245-8183)
- Donghua Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1828-1210)
- Hengchong Shi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7549-0388)
- Cuiyuan Liang
- Jieshan Qiu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6892-6665)
- Shifang Luan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7660-9010)
- Lei Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0925-183X)
- Zhiyue Fang
- Tongye Zhang
Institutions
- University of Science and Technology of China (CN)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Harbin Institute of Technology (CN)
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry (CN)
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry (CN)
- Northeast Petroleum University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Functional Materials
- Published
- 2024-12-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202418583
- Citations
- 14
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.58
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences