Poly(ionic liquid) functionalization: A general strategy for strong, tough, ionic conductive, and multifunctional polysaccharide hydrogels toward sensors
Xue Yao,
Sufeng Zhang,
Ning Wei,
Liwei Qian,
Hao Ding,
Jingtao Liu,
Wenqi Song,
Sergiu Coseri
Affiliations
Xue Yao
College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Papermaking Technology and Specialty Paper Development, Key Laboratory of Paper Based Functional Materials of China National Light Industry, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an China
Sufeng Zhang
College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Papermaking Technology and Specialty Paper Development, Key Laboratory of Paper Based Functional Materials of China National Light Industry, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an China
Ning Wei
College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Papermaking Technology and Specialty Paper Development, Key Laboratory of Paper Based Functional Materials of China National Light Industry, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an China
Liwei Qian
College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Papermaking Technology and Specialty Paper Development, Key Laboratory of Paper Based Functional Materials of China National Light Industry, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an China
Hao Ding
College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Papermaking Technology and Specialty Paper Development, Key Laboratory of Paper Based Functional Materials of China National Light Industry, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an China
Jingtao Liu
College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Papermaking Technology and Specialty Paper Development, Key Laboratory of Paper Based Functional Materials of China National Light Industry, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education Shaanxi University of Science and Technology Xi'an China
Wenqi Song
Technological Institute of Materials & Energy Science (TIMES) Xi'an Key Laboratory of Advanced Photo‐Electronics Materials and Energy Conversion Device School of Electronic Information Xijing University Xi'an China
Sergiu Coseri
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of Romanian Academy Iasi Romania
Abstract Ionic conductive hydrogels (ICHs) prepared from natural bioresources are promising candidates for constructing flexible electronics for both commercialization and environmental sustainability due to their intrinsic characteristics. However, simultaneous realization of high stiffness, toughness, conductivity, and multifunctionality while ensuring processing simplicity is extremely challenging. Here, a poly(ionic liquid) (PIL)‐macromolecule functionalization strategy within a NaOH/urea system is proposed to construct high‐performance and versatile polysaccharide‐based ICHs (e.g., cellulosic ICHs). In this strategy, the elaborately designed “soft” (PIL chains) and “hard” (cellulose backbone) structures as well as the dynamic covalent and noncovalent bonds of the cross‐linked networks endow the hydrogel with high mechanical strength (9.46 ± 0.23 MPa compressive modulus), exceptional stretchability (214.3%), and toughness (3.64 ± 0.12 MJ m−3). Ingeniously, due to the inherent conductivity, design flexibility, and functional compatibility of the PILs, the hydrogels exhibit high conductivity (6.54 ± 0.17 mS cm−1), self‐healing ability (94.5% ± 2.0% efficiency), antibacterial properties, freezing resistance, water retention, and recyclability. Interestingly, this strategy is extended to fabricate diverse hydrogels from various polysaccharides, including agar, alginate, hyaluronic acid, and guar gum. In addition, multimodal sensing (strain, temperature, and humidity) is realized based on the stimulus‐responsive characteristics of the hydrogels. This strategy opens new perspectives for the design of biomass‐based hydrogels and beyond.
