In situ fabrication of bacterial cellulose-based CB@Poly(ionic liquid) membranes via surfactant-free ionic liquid...

Poly(ionic liquids)s have emerged as promising candidates for various flexible sensing applications due to their tunable structures and inherent ionic conductivity. Herein, bacterial cellulose with nanofibrous crystalline structure was introduced into a surfactant-free ionic liquid microemulsion system, after which the bacterial cellulose‑carbon black-poly(ionic liquid) composites (bacterial cellulose-based CB@PILs) were successfully synthesized in situ via thiol-ene click chemistry. The results of comprehensive characterization, which included FTIR, XRD, XPS, SEM, thermal analysis, tensile testing, and conductivity measurements, revealed that the composite with 4.5 wt% carbon black and 25 % excess i-PA exhibited the best performance. Furthermore, this optimized sample showed good thermal stability, high elongation at break, and superior strain sensitivity, with a reversible resistance response under mechanical deformation. These findings provide a new strategy for designing flexible, conductive, and sensitive poly(ionic liquid)-based composites, as well as highlight the potential of bacterial cellulose-based CB@PILs materials for use in wearable and deformable electronic sensors.