Mechanically Tough and Highly Stretchable Transparent Conductive Elastomers Based on a Dual-Cross-Linked Network Structure

Transparent conductive elastomers (TCEs) hold considerable promise for applications in wearable electronics and optical display devices due to their unique combination of flexibility and conductivity. In this study, we report the synthesis of dual-cross-linked network transparent conductive elastomers (DCNTCEs) employing the polymerizable deep eutectic solvent strategy. The incorporation of polyethylenimine significantly enhanced the hydrogen bond density and facilitated the formation of a covalent cross-linking network, yielding a robust dual-network structure. The introduction of this dual-cross-linking system effectively increased the material’s mechanical properties, achieving a tensile strength of 12.9 MPa and a breaking strain of 801%, alongside an impressive toughness of 256 MJ m–3. Furthermore, one of the DCNTCEs demonstrated exceptional load-bearing capabilities, supporting weights of over 3160 times their own mass without structural failure. The elastomers also exhibited outstanding electrical self-healing capabilities, achieving an impressive 98% healing efficiency in just 0.30 s. Additionally, real-time electrical signal variations under strain reveal their potential as efficient strain sensors for monitoring human motions. These excellent properties of DCNTCEs indicate their great potential for applications in flexible electronics and wearable sensors.