Strong and highly stretchable ionic conductive elastomer based on hydrogen bonding

Rise and development of flexible electronic devices require stretchable semiconductors, but there remains a striking issue of a destruction in conductive network under large deformation. Herein, inspired by the composition of the deep eutectic solvent (DES), we fabricate an ionic conductive elastomer by doping 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([HOEtMIm]Cl) into acid-hydrolyzed copolymer of n-butyl acrylate (nBA) and tert-butyl acrylate (tBA). As a result, our fabricated acid-hydrolyzed P (nAB-co-tBA)/[HOEtMIm]Cl composites possess superior ductility, high tensile strength (1.86 MPa) and good electrical conductivity (2.03 x 10(-6) S cm(-1)), meanwhile, there is no sudden drop in resistance during stretching. [HOEtMIm]Cl disperses uniformly in the matrix as it's associated with the matrix through hydrogen bonding. As an attempt, we demonstrate its application for touch sensor as well as strain sensor.

Automated summary

By doping an ionic conductor into acid-hydrolyzed copolymer, we have successfully developed an elastic material with superior ductility and excellent electrical conductivity, suitable for use in touch sensors and strain sensors.