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Multi-Stimuli Responsive Viologen-Crosslinked Eutectogels Derived From Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents for Information
Zhiang Bai1,2, Wai Lean Koay1, Xin Yi Oh1
1Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE2), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|June 19, 2026
Summary
We developed stimuli-responsive soft materials called eutectogels that change color with electricity, UV light, and temperature. These versatile materials can be used for information security, wearable sensors, and personalized healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Soft Matter Physics
- Biocompatible Materials
Background:
- Stimuli-responsive soft materials are crucial for advanced applications like information security, wearable sensing, and personalized healthcare.
- Existing materials often lack stability, biocompatibility, or multi-stimuli responsiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel biocompatible, stimuli-responsive soft materials with enhanced stability and multi-functional capabilities.
- To explore the potential of these materials in information encryption, sensing, and human motion monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of viologen-crosslinked eutectogels using poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) (poly-HEA) and a natural deep eutectic solvent (betaine and lactic acid).
- Characterization of material properties including transparency, elasticity, thermal stability, adhesion, and environmental stability (anti-freezing).
- Evaluation of stimuli-responsive chromic behavior (electricity, UV light, temperature) and strain sensing capabilities.
Main Results:
- The eutectogels demonstrated high transparency, elasticity, thermal stability, and adhesion.
- Materials exhibited stable optical performance down to -20°C due to a dynamic hydrogen-bonding network.
- Reversible chromic responses to electricity, UV light, and temperature enabled photopatterning and information encryption/decryption.
- Eutectogels functioned as sensitive strain sensors for human motion and physiological signals, with outputs translatable to Morse code.
Conclusions:
- Viologen-crosslinked eutectogels offer a promising platform for advanced stimuli-responsive applications.
- The materials' unique properties, including environmental stability and multi-stimuli responsiveness, open new avenues for information security and wearable technology.
- These eutectogels represent a significant advancement in the design of functional soft materials for diverse technological applications.
