Supramolecular Ionogels for Use in Locating Damage to Underwater Infrastructure

The capacity to self-detect and locate damage to underwater infrastructure in emergencies is vital, as materials and technologies that securely facilitate energy and information transmission are crucial in several fields. Herein, the development of a multifunctional supramolecular ionogel (SIG) and SIG-based devices for use in detecting and locating damage to underwater infrastructure is reported. The SIG is fabricated via the single-step photoinitiated copolymerization of hydroxy and fluorinated monomers in a fluorinated ionic liquid. Hydrogen-bond/ion-dipole-interaction synergy ensures that the SIG is highly ionically conductive and extremely mechanically strong, with underwater self-healing and adhesion properties. It can be used as an underwater ionic cable to provide reporting signals via changes in strain; furthermore, SIG-based devices can be fixed to underwater infrastructure to locate damage via resistance monitoring. The SIG can also be attached to the human body for use in underwater communication, thereby safeguarding maintenance personnel while repairing underwater infrastructure. This study provides a novel pathway for developing supramolecular materials and devices.