ABSTRACT
Nanohybrid assemblies provide an effective platform for integrating the intrinsic properties of individual components into microscale fibers. In this study, a novel approach for creating mechanically and environmentally stable MXene fibers through the synergistic assembly of MXene and polyacrylonitrile (PAN), is introduced. Unlike fibers generated via a conventional stabilization process, which relies on air-based stabilization to transform the PAN molecules into ring structures fundamental to carbon fibers, the hybrid fibers are annealed in an Ar atmosphere. This unique approach suggests MXene can serve as an oxygen provider that is essential for stabilizing PAN. As a result, significantly improved interfiber compactness is achieved and the oxidation stability of MXene is enhanced under atmospheric conditions. The resulting fibers exhibit exceptional stability, even after extended exposure to high humidity and elevated temperatures. This highlights the suitability of the thermally annealed MXene-PAN (T-MX-PAN) fibers as robust electric heating elements. Notably, these fibers consistently generate heat over 1800 bending cycles. When integrated into fabrics, they demonstrate the capability to generate sufficient heat for melting ice and rapid evaporation. This study highlights the potential of T-MX-PAN fibers as next-generation wearable heaters and offers valuable insights into advancing wearable technology in demanding environments.
ABSTRACT
Herein, ultrasoft and ultrastretchable wearable strain sensors enabled by liquid metal fillers in an elastic polymer are described. The wearable strain sensors that can change the effective resistance upon strains are prepared by mixing silicone elastomer with liquid metal (EGaIn, Eutectic gallium-indium alloy) fillers. While the silicone is mixed with the liquid metal by shear mixing, the liquid metal is rendered into small droplets stabilized by an oxide, resulting in a non-conductive liquid metal elastomer. To attain electrical conductivity, localized mechanical pressure is applied using a stylus onto the thermally cured elastomer, resulting in the formation of a handwritten conductive trace by rupturing the oxide layer of the liquid metal droplets and subsequent percolation. Although this approach has been introduced previously, the liquid metal dispersed elastomers developed here are compelling because of their ultra-stretchable (elongation at break of 4000%) and ultrasoft (Young's modulus of <0.1 MPa) mechanical properties. The handwritten conductive trace in the elastomers can maintain metallic conductivity when strained; however, remarkably, we observed that the electrical conductivity is anisotropic upon parallel and perpendicular strains to the conductive trace. This anisotropic conductivity of the liquid metal elastomer film can manipulate the locomotion of a robot by routing the power signals between the battery and the driving motor of a robot upon parallel and perpendicular strains to the hand-written circuit. In addition, the liquid metal dispersed elastomers have a high degree of deformation and adhesion; thus, they are suitable for use as a wearable sensor for monitoring various body motions.
ABSTRACT
We have investigated a new methodology for improving the ionic conductivity and cation transport of polymer electrolytes by incorporating an anion-stabilizing hard polymer. A lamellar-forming poly(ethylene oxide-b-dithiooxamide) (PEO-b-PDTOA) block copolymer having enhanced ion conduction and mechanical strength, arising from PEO and PDTOA, respectively, was synthesized. Compared to a simple PEO/PDTOA blend, lithium salt-doped PEO-b-PDTOA exhibited significantly enhanced ionic conductivity, which is ascribed to efficient ion transport along the nanoscale PEO domains. Strikingly, by applying a dc polarization voltage, the inclusion of PDTOA afforded a high ratio of the steady state to the initial current flow of 0.67 for the PEO-b-PDTOA electrolytes, surpassing the value of 0.31 observed for conventional PEO-salt electrolytes. A key reason for achieving enhanced cation transport was the hydrogen bonding interactions between the thioamide moieties of PDTOA and the anions of lithium salts. This work provides fascinating experimental insights into the enhancement of cation transport of polymer electrolytes without chemically bonded negative charges and has implications for fast charging energy storage systems.
