Self-Adhesive and Reprocessable Ionogel Sensor from Controllable Ionized Corncob Cellulose

Area of Science:

• Sustainable Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Agricultural lignocellulosic residues pose waste and pollution challenges.
• Valorization technologies are crucial for sustainable materials development.
• Corncob cellulose offers a promising, underutilized feedstock.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel functional material from corncob cellulose.
• To create ionized cellulose with enhanced properties for advanced applications.
• To explore the potential of this material in eco-friendly intelligent sensors.

Main Methods:

• Grafting methacryloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC) onto corncob cellulose via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and UV-initiated polymerization.
• Characterization of mechanical strength, thermal stability, cryogenic tolerance, and adhesion properties.
• Evaluation of ionogel sensing capabilities for strain detection and electrocardiogram (ECG) signal acquisition.

Main Results:

• Synthesized ionized cellulose exhibiting high tensile strength (1.28 MPa) and elongation (573%).
• Demonstrated exceptional thermal stability (up to 278 °C) and cryogenic flexibility (at -25 °C).
• Achieved universal adhesion (4.23 MPa to glass) and high sensing sensitivity (gauge factor 1.23-2.08).

Conclusions:

• Corncob cellulose can be effectively transformed into a high-performance functional material.
• The developed ionized cellulose ionogel is suitable for wearable electronics and intelligent sensing.
• This research offers a sustainable pathway for agricultural waste valorization into advanced materials.