Tunable temperature-responsive photonic ionogels with dual signals output

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Photonic ionogels with dual electrical and optical outputs are actively researched.
• Tunable temperature-responsive photonic ionogels using thermosensitive nanogels remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for fabricating tunable temperature-sensitive photonic ionogels.
• To create advanced materials for smart wearable devices with dual output capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of poly(isopropylacrylamide-r-phenylmaleanilic acid) P(NIPAm-r-NPMA) nanogels.
• Self-assembly of nanogels into photonic crystals within a HEA, water, and ionic liquid mixture.
• Polymerization of HEA crosslinked with PEGDA to form robust photonic ionogels.

Main Results:

• The developed photonic ionogels exhibit tunable temperature sensitivity and structural color.
• Incorporation of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate enhances mechanical strength and tunes temperature sensitivity.
• The ionogels demonstrate dual electrical and optical signal outputs, exceptional adhesion, mechanical stability, and resilience.
• Achieved over 200% stretchability due to nanogel-based photonic crystals, compared to 100% without nanogels.

Conclusions:

• The novel photonic ionogels offer tunable temperature sensitivity and dual output functionalities.
• These materials are promising for advanced smart wearable devices.
• The study opens new avenues for developing innovative wearable technologies.