3D Highly Stretchable Liquid Metal/Elastomer Composites with Strain-Enhanced Conductivity

Fang, Ruyue1; Yao, Bin2; Chen, Tianwu1; Xu, Xinwei3,4; Xue, Dingchuan1; Hong, Wei5; Wang, Hong3,4; Wang, Qing2; Zhang, Sulin1,2,6

2023-10-01

10.1002/adfm.202310225

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS   Impact Factor & Quartile

1616-301X

1616-3028

["Current stretchable conductors, often composed of elastomeric composites infused with rigid conductive fillers, suffer from limited stretchability and durability, and declined conductivity with stretching. These limitations hinder their potential applications as essential components such as interconnects, sensors, and actuators in stretchable electronics and soft machines. In this context, an innovative elastomeric composite that incorporates a 3D network of liquid metal (LM), offering exceptional stretchability, durability, and conductivity, is introduced. The mechanics model elucidates how the interconnected 3DLM architecture imparts softness and stretchability to the composites, allowing them to withstand tensile strains of up to 500% without rupture. The relatively low surface-to-volume ratio of the 3DLM network limits the reforming of the oxide layer during cyclic stretch, thereby contributing to low permanent strain and enhanced durability. Additionally, the 3D architecture facilitates crack blunting and stress delocalization, elevating fracture resistance, while simultaneously establishing continuous conductive pathways that result in high conductivity. Notably, the conductivity of the 3DLM composite increases with strain during substantial stretching, highlighting its strain-enhanced conductivity. In comparison to other LM-based composites featuring 0D LM droplets, the 3DLM composite stands out with superior properties.","Herein, a novel elastomeric composite is developed that integrates a 3D network of liquid metal, resulting in outstanding stretchability, durability, and conductivity. The mechanics model demonstrates the enhanced flexibility and fracture resistance brought about by the interconnected 3DLM architecture. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the conductivity enhancement under strain of the 3DLM composites.image"]

fracture liquid-metal composites stretchable electronics

SCI

English

NI Journal Papers

Corresponding

R.F. and B.Y. contributed equally to this work. Q.W. and S.Z. acknowledge the supports of the National Science Foundation (CMMI 1933398 and ECCS 2035051).["CMMI 1933398","ECCS 2035051"]

Chemistry ; Science & Technology - Other Topics ; Materials Science ; Physics

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary ; Chemistry, Physical ; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology ; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary ; Physics, Applied ; Physics, Condensed Matter

WOS:001088169900001

WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH

MATERIALS SCIENCE

Web of Science

1.Penn State Univ, Dept Engn Sci & Mech, University Pk, PA 16802 USA
2.Penn State Univ, Dept Mat Sci & Engn, University Pk, PA 16802 USA
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mat Sci & Engn, Shenzhen Engn Res Ctr Novel Elect Informat Mat &, Guangdong 518055, Peoples R China
4.Southern Univ Sci & Technol Shenzhen, Guangdong Prov Key Lab Funct Oxide Mat & Devices, Guangdong 518055, Peoples R China
5.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mech & Aerosp Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, Peoples R China
6.Penn State Univ, Dept Biomech Engn, University Pk, PA 16802 USA

Fang, Ruyue,Yao, Bin,Chen, Tianwu,et al. 3D Highly Stretchable Liquid Metal/Elastomer Composites with Strain-Enhanced Conductivity[J]. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS,2023.

Fang, Ruyue.,Yao, Bin.,Chen, Tianwu.,Xu, Xinwei.,Xue, Dingchuan.,...&Zhang, Sulin.(2023).3D Highly Stretchable Liquid Metal/Elastomer Composites with Strain-Enhanced Conductivity.ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS.

Fang, Ruyue,et al."3D Highly Stretchable Liquid Metal/Elastomer Composites with Strain-Enhanced Conductivity".ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS (2023).