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Bio-Ionic Liquid-Induced Rapid Self-Initiating Tough Ionogels for In Situ Adhesion
Junjie Yu1, Jiaofeng Xiong1, Bingyang Wu1
1Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Negative Carbon Technologies, Suzhou Key Laboratory of Soft Material and New Energy, Innovation Center for Advanced Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
This study introduces a novel bio-ionic liquid method for creating strong, biocompatible ionogels using liquid metal. These advanced ionogels offer tunable adhesion for applications in intelligent adhesives and bioelectronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Bioelectronics
Background:
- Traditional ionogel synthesis methods face limitations like strict conditions and poor biocompatibility.
- Achieving both high mechanical strength and strong adhesion in ionogels is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new strategy for fabricating tough ionogels with enhanced biocompatibility and adhesion.
- To explore the potential of bio-ionic liquids and liquid metals in ionogel synthesis.
- To investigate the photothermal responsiveness and bioelectronic applications of the developed ionogels.
Main Methods:
- A bio-ionic liquid (malic acid/L-(-)-carnitine) was used to induce self-initiated in situ polymerization mediated by liquid metal.
- The ionic liquid disrupted the liquid metal's oxide layer, accelerating polymerization.
- A dynamic topological network was formed via reversible interactions between the ionic liquid and the polymer.
Main Results:
- The fabricated ionogels exhibited high fracture strength (7.2 MPa) and toughness (41.7 MJ m⁻³).
- Strong interfacial adhesion was achieved (7.6 MPa on glass).
- The ionogels demonstrated photothermal responsiveness for tunable adhesion and real-time monitoring, and served as effective bioelectrodes.
Conclusions:
- The bio-ionic liquid-induced self-initiated strategy offers a viable route to high-performance ionogels.
- These ionogels show promise for intelligent adhesives and stable bioelectronic interfaces.
- The findings provide guidance for designing advanced ionogels with tunable properties.
