Degradable Supramolecular Eutectogel-Based Ionic Skin with Antibacterial, Adhesive, and Self-Healable Capabilities

Abstract

The development of degradable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly ionic conductive gels is highly required to reduce electronic waste originating from flexible electronic devices. However, biocompatible, degradable, tough, and durable conductive gels are challenging to achieve. Herein, we develop a facile strategy for the design and synthesis of degradable tough eutectogels by integrating an electrostatically driven supramolecular network composed of branched polyacrylic acid (PAA) and monoethanolamine (MEA) into a green deep eutectic solvent with chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (CQS). The specially designed PAA/MEA/CQS eutectogels present multiple desired properties, including high transparency, widely adjustable mechanical properties, high resilience, reliable adhesiveness, excellent selfhealing ability, good conductivity, remarkable anti-freezing performance, and antibacterial properties. The dynamic and reversible supramolecular interactions not only significantly enhance the mechanical properties of the PAA/MEA/CQS eutectogels but also enable fast degradation, addressing the dilemma between mechanical strength and degradability. More importantly, a biocompatible and degradable multifunctional ionic skin is successfully fabricated based on the PAA/MEA/CQS eutectogel, exhibiting high sensitivity, a wide sensing range, and a rapid response speed toward strain, pressure, and temperature. Thus, this study offers a promising strategy for fabricating degradable tough eutectogels, which show great potential as high-performance ionic skins for nextgeneration flexible wearable electronic devices.

Stretchable anti-freeze deep eutectic solvent (DES) gels for low-temperature wearable soft sensors

“…For example, many researchers have all utilized DES as solvents to prepare multifunctional gels with excellent adhesion, sensing properties, and antifreeze capabilities for use in the field of electronic skin. 20,25,26 Simultaneously, researchers like Ronco et al have utilized reversible hydrogen bond networks between polymers and DES to impart self-healing and strong adhesion properties to gels, enabling them to serve as electrolytes for lithium batteries, further expanding the application scope of DES gels. 27 In this work, we synthesized a eutectogel with outstanding low-temperature sensing capabilities by employing MAA and Py as monomers and DES as the solvent.…”

Silver and Copper Nanoparticle-Loaded Self-Assembled Pseudo-Peptide Thiourea-Based Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Gel with Antibacterial and Superhydrophobic Properties for Antifouling Surfaces

“…Self-assembled organogels, with distinctive qualities like viscoelasticity and adjustable material characteristics, have shown promise in various biomedical applications. − Specific synthetic nanomaterials, such as polymers, quantum dots, and metal nanoparticles, exhibit improved stability and greater mechanical resilience. However, their potential for clinical use may face hindrances due to issues related to size and surface-dependent toxicity, reduced compatibility with biological systems, and in vivo accumulation when compared to natural materials. , Consequently, the development of nanomaterials using biomolecules emerges as a promising solution to address these challenges owing to their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. , Peptides and amino acids demonstrate remarkable self-assembly capabilities , and excellent biocompatibility . Nevertheless, the greater molecular size of synthetic peptides, in contrast to individual amino acids, can introduce challenges in controlling the self-assembly process.…”

Formation of Self-Healing Granular Eutectogels through Jammed Carbopol Microgels in Supercooled Deep Eutectic Solvent

“…Similar to a hydrogel with a polymer network in water, a eutectogel, exhibiting soft gel behavior, can be developed using a network in DES, which has attracted considerable attention. − An example of a chemical eutectogel is the cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) network in a DES containing choline chloride (HBA) and urea (HBD), formed after the polymerization of acrylic acid monomers. , In contrast, a physical eutectogel example is the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) network in a DES containing metal salts (HBA) such as lithium chloride or zinc chloride, and ethylene glycol or glycerol (HBD). , PVA was dissolved in DES to form eutectogel through the establishment of multi hydrogen bonds and coordination bonds with metal ions. The noncovalent cross-linking points in this physical eutectogel are associated with the small crystalline domains of PVA. , Unlike hydrogels, eutectogels exhibit intrinsic characteristics such as low vapor pressure and high thermostability − associated with the properties of DES.…”