Elastomeric Liquid-Free Conductor for Iontronic Devices

Abstract

For a long time, the potential application of gel-based ionic devices was limited by the problem of liquid leakage or evaporation. Here, we utilized amorphous, irreversible and reversible cross-linked polyTA (PTA) as a matrix and lithium bis­(trifluoromethane sulfonamide) (LiTFSI) as an electrolyte to prepare a stretchable (495%) and self-healing (94%) solvent-free elastomeric ionic conductor. The liquid-free ionic elastomer can be used as a stable strain sensor to monitor human activities sensitively under extreme temperatures. Moreover, the prepared elastic conductor (TEOA0.10-PTA@LiTFSI) was also considered an electrode to assemble with self-designed repairable dielectric organosilicon layers (RD-PDMS) to develop a sustainable triboelectric nanogenerator (SU-TENG) with outstanding performance. SU-TENG maintained good working ability under extreme conditions (−20 °C, 60 °C, and 200% strain). This work provided a low-cost and simple idea for the development of reliable iontronic equipment for human–computer interaction, motion sensing, and sustainable energy.

Mussel‐Inspired, Underwater Self‐Healing Ionoelastomers Based on α‐Lipoic Acid for Iontronics

“…To achieve robust adhesion, spontaneous self-healing underwater, sensing ability, and flame retardancy of the ICE based on LA, we originally incorporated the mussel adhesive moiety of DMA, LA, BAC, and LiTFSI in combination in structure (Figure 1), which distinctly differs from all related approaches reported in the literature on supramolecular, dynamic poly(lipoic acid) (Table S1, Supporting Information). [37][38][39][40][41]43,45,47,59,[78][79][80][81] The differences lie not only in the fact that our rationale of molecular design is unique (i.e., so far there have had no reports depicting it), but also in that we profoundly considered the program from four different perspectives, i.e., adhesion in both dry and wet states, self-healing in the air and underwater, sensing capability, and flame retardancy that are closely relevant to practical application. To the best of our knowledge, our study has been the only one so far simultaneously focusing on these perspectives (Table S1, Supporting Information).…”

Advances in high‐temperature operatable triboelectric nanogenerator

“…More significantly, Lu and Zhang et al 187,188 independently developed ionic conductive elastomer-based TENG devices utilizing liquid-free cellulose-derived ionic conductive elastomer (ChCl/urea-MCCM 3% -AA, Figure 17A,B) and solvent-free elastomeric ionic conductor (TEOA-PTA@LiTFSI, Figure 17E,F) as electrodes. As is widely recognized, the ability of triboelectric devices to maintain their electric output characteristics under extreme conditions is a crucial factor for TENG devices.…”

“…More significantly, Lu and Zhang et al 187,188 . independently developed ionic conductive elastomer‐based TENG devices utilizing liquid‐free cellulose‐derived ionic conductive elastomer (ChCl/urea‐MCCM 3% ‐AA, Figure 17A,B) and solvent‐free elastomeric ionic conductor (TEOA‐PTA@LiTFSI, Figure 17E,F) as electrodes.…”