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Robust, transparent, self-healable, recyclable all-starch-based gel with thermoelectric capability for wearable sensor

  • 0College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules +

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September 21, 2024

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September 21, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a robust all-starch-based gel with enhanced strength, self-healing, and anti-freezing properties. This versatile biomaterial demonstrates potential for flexible electronics and energy harvesting applications.

Area Of Science

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Biomaterials

Background

  • Conventional all-starch-based (ASB) gels exhibit poor mechanical properties, limiting their practical applications.
  • Developing ASB gels with advanced functionalities like self-healing and anti-freezing remains a significant challenge.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To synthesize a novel, robust ASB gel with multi-functional properties.
  • To investigate the mechanical, self-healing, anti-freezing, conductive, and thermoelectric characteristics of the developed gel.

Main Methods

  • Gelatinization of starch in a urea and choline chloride (UC) solution with water.
  • Mechanical testing (tensile strength, strain) and aging studies.
  • Self-healing efficiency assessment at room temperature.
  • Low-temperature performance evaluation (-80 °C).
  • Biocompatibility and biodegradability assessments.
  • Ion conductivity and thermoelectric property measurements (Seebeck coefficient).

Main Results

  • The ASB gel achieved a tensile strength of 1.08 MPa and a strain of 313%, with stable properties after 10 days.
  • High self-healing efficiency (98%) was observed within 1 hour at room temperature, restoring strength to 1.06 MPa.
  • The gel maintained flexibility and integrity at -80 °C.
  • Excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability were confirmed.
  • The UC-modified ASB gel exhibited ion conductivity for use as a flexible strain sensor and thermoelectric properties (Seebeck coefficient up to 5 mV K⁻¹).

Conclusions

  • A novel, high-performance ASB gel was successfully prepared using a UC solution.
  • The developed gel possesses superior mechanical strength, self-healing, anti-freezing, and conductivity.
  • This versatile biomaterial shows promise for applications in flexible electronics, strain sensing, and thermoelectric energy harvesting.

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