3D printing of ultra-tough, self-healing transparent conductive elastomeric sensors

Ultra-tough transparent conductive elastomers (TCEs) with self-healing performance are of great significance for research in the fields of soft robotics, optical display electronics, wearable electronic equipment and human-computer interaction. However, their limitation, such as the desolventizing process, low polymerization rate or balance between toughness and self-healing performance, cause difficulty in manufacturing by the 3D printing technique. Here, we propose a novel preparation strategy for 3D printed TCEs based on the photopolymerization of maleic acid (MA)/choline chloride (ChCl) and acrylamide (AAm)/choline chloride type polymerizable deep eutectic solvents (PDESs). PDES can polymerize into a tough and rich in hydrogen bonds poly(PDES) in a few seconds without solvent evaporation. The printed TCEs with precision of 10 mu m have high transparency (95.6%) and stable electrical signals at 50% compression for 10,000 cycles. In addition, efficient self-healing performance due to the dynamic hydrogen bonds of poly(PDES) provides broad application prospects for 3D printed TCEs in long-term pressure-resistant intelligent applications.

Automated summary

The novel preparation strategy using PDES as deep eutectic solvents in 3D printed TCEs improves transparency and stability, with efficient self-healing performance, thus offering broad application prospects in long-term pressure-resistant intelligent applications.