All-solid Conductive Elastomers Bridging Mechanical Performance and Sustainability for Durable and Multifunctional Electronics

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2025 Jan 25. doi: 10.1021/acsami.4c21865. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

The next generation of stretchable electronics seeks to integrate superior mechanical properties with sustainability and sensing stability. Ionically conductive and liquid-free elastomers have gained recognition as promising candidates, addressing the challenges of evaporation and leakage in gel-based conductors. In this study, a sustainable polymeric deep eutectic system is synergistically integrated with amino-terminated hyperbranched polyamide-modified fibers and aluminum ions, forming a conductive supramolecular network with significant improvements in mechanical performance. The elastomer exhibits remarkable tensile strength (6.69 MPa) and ultrahigh toughness (275.7 MJ/m3), capable of lifting loads 8300 times its own weight and demonstrated notch-insensitive properties. The elastomer also possessed degradable and stepwise recyclable properties, supporting its sustainability. Its excellent mechanical performance and conductivity enable stable signal output for multifunctional electronics. A wearable strain sensor is developed, demonstrating high sensitivity (gauge factor up to 4.52) and reliable repeatability under strain. Furthermore, a durable triboelectric nanogenerator is also fabricated, delivering stable signal output over one month and demonstrating strong potential for tactile sensing across various contact materials, making it highly promising for future human-machine interaction applications. This work offers feasible strategy for the design of solid elastomer-based durable electronics and highlights the potential for multifunctional applications.

Keywords: conductive elastomer; durability; mechanical performance; stretchable electronics; sustainability.