Su Xing, Zhai Shixiong, Jin Kaili, Li Chengcheng, Chen Anqi, Cai Zaisheng, Xian Chunying, Zhao Yaping
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2023 Sep 27;15(38):45526-45535. doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c11915. Epub 2023 Sep 14.
Currently, there is a limited amount of research on PEDOT:LS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):sulfonated lignin)-based hydrogels. While the addition of PEDOT:LS can enhance the conductivity of the gel, it unavoidably disrupts the gel network and negatively affects its mechanical properties. The preparation process and freezing resistance of the hydrogels also pose significant challenges for their practical applications. In this study, we have developed a novel self-catalytic system, PEDOT:LS-Fe, for the rapid fabrication of conductive hydrogels. These hydrogels are further transformed into eutectogels by immersing them in a deep eutectic solvent. Compared with conventional hydrogels, the eutectogels exhibit improved elongation, mechanical strength, and resistance to freezing. Specifically, the eutectogels containing 2 wt % PEDOT:LS as conductive fillers and catalysts demonstrate exceptional stretchability (∼460%), self-adhesion (∼14.6 kPa on paper), UV-blocking capability (∼99.9%), and ionic conductivity (∼1.2 mS cm) even at extremely low temperatures (-60 °C). Moreover, the eutectogels exhibit high stability and sensitivity in flexible sensing, successfully detecting various human motions. This study presents a novel approach for the rapid preparation of the hydrogels by utilizing lignin in the conductive PEDOT polymerization process and forming a self-catalytic system with metal ions. These advancements make the eutectogels a promising candidate material for flexible wearable electronics.
目前，关于基于聚（3,4 - 乙撑二氧噻吩）：磺化木质素（PEDOT:LS）的水凝胶的研究数量有限。虽然添加PEDOT:LS可以提高凝胶的导电性，但不可避免地会破坏凝胶网络并对其机械性能产生负面影响。水凝胶的制备过程和抗冻性也给它们的实际应用带来了重大挑战。在本研究中，我们开发了一种新型的自催化体系PEDOT:LS - Fe，用于快速制备导电水凝胶。通过将这些水凝胶浸入深共晶溶剂中，它们进一步转变为低共熔凝胶。与传统水凝胶相比，低共熔凝胶的伸长率、机械强度和抗冻性都有所提高。具体而言，含有2 wt% PEDOT:LS作为导电填料和催化剂的低共熔凝胶即使在极低温度（-60°C）下也表现出出色的拉伸性（约460%）、自粘性（在纸上约14.6 kPa）、紫外线阻挡能力（约99.9%）和离子电导率（约1.2 mS/cm）。此外，低共熔凝胶在柔性传感中表现出高稳定性和灵敏度，成功检测到各种人体运动。本研究提出了一种在导电PEDOT聚合过程中利用木质素并与金属离子形成自催化体系来快速制备水凝胶的新方法。这些进展使低共熔凝胶成为柔性可穿戴电子产品的有前途的候选材料。
