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Skin-Inspired 3D Printing Porous Ionogels with Microsphere-Interlocked Structures for Flexible Sensors
Siqi Zhang1, Wanqi Feng1, Yu Jiang1
1College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ministry of Education, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|August 25, 2025
Summary
This study developed a novel porous ionogel using 3D printing for flexible sensors. The bioinspired structure enhances adhesion and ion migration, overcoming leakage and mechanical challenges in traditional ionogels.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Flexible sensors are crucial for wearable electronics and health monitoring.
- Traditional ionogels suffer from ionic liquid leakage, poor mechanical properties, and design limitations.
- There is a need for advanced ionogel materials with improved performance and structural integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a novel, high-performance porous ionogel for flexible sensors.
- To address the limitations of traditional ionogels, including ionic liquid leakage and mechanical instability.
- To develop a bioinspired, dual-scale structure for enhanced sensor performance and functionality.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a photocurable ink containing a polymerizable ionic monomer, a multifunctional thiol, and a cross-linking agent.
- Employed Digital Light Process (DLP) three-dimensional (3D) printing with thiol-ene click chemistry for rapid network formation.
- Incorporated polymerization-induced phase separation for in situ micropore generation and a bioinspired microsphere interlocking array for macroscopic structuring.
Main Results:
- Achieved a strong, tough, covalently cross-linked ionogel network with covalently anchored ionic groups, preventing leakage.
- Generated through-micropores via polymerization-induced phase separation, creating a dual-scale enhancement mechanism.
- Demonstrated high flexibility, sensitivity (-0.819 kPa^-1), fast response time (64.2 ms), and 1000-cycle durability.
- Successfully applied the ionogel in human motion monitoring and Morse code communication.
Conclusions:
- The developed porous ionogel overcomes traditional limitations, offering superior flexibility, sensitivity, and durability.
- The bioinspired, dual-scale structure is key to enhanced interfacial adhesion, mechanical stability, and ion migration.
- This study provides a promising platform for developing advanced flexible sensors with tailored properties for various applications.
