University Chemistry ›› 2022, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (5): 2203002.doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202203002

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Preparation and Sensing Test of Self-Healing Ionic Gel

Jingyi Liu, Yameng Jiang, Wei Feng, Feng Zheng(), Xinhua Xu()   

  • Received:2022-03-01 Accepted:2022-03-03 Published:2022-04-11
  • Contact: Feng Zheng,Xinhua Xu E-mail:fzheng@tongji.edu.cn;xxh01@tongji.edu.cn

Abstract:

Self-healing ionic gel was prepared and its strain and humidity sensing test were performed. It is designed as a laboratory experiment for general chemistry of first-year undergraduates. After content expanding, the experiment can also be used as a comprehensive experiment for the students majored in applied chemistry, polymer chemistry and materials science and engineering. The ionic gel was prepared by free radical polymerization of vinyl-3-butyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([VBIm][BF4]) to form cross-linked polymer matrix (PIL). Whereas 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF4]) (IL) was behaved as solvent and additive to the PIL. Because of the existence of free ionic liquid IL molecules in the gel, the PIL/IL ionic gel had a good electrical conductivity, which caused an excellent response to the strain by force or the humidity in air. The gel was also self-healable due to the strong ionic bonding interaction.

Key words: Ionic gel, Self-healing, Strain sensing, Humidity sensing