A biomimetic skin-like sensor with multiple sensory capabilities based on hybrid ionogel

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. A. Physical. 2021-10, Vol.330, p.112855, Article 112855
• Main Authors: Zammali, Marouen, Liu, Sijun, Yu, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D printing; Adhesiveness; Artificial intelligence; Automation; Biomimetic materials; Biomimetic skin-like sensor; Carbonyls; Functional groups; Hybrid ionogel; Hybrid systems; Ionic liquids; Manufacturing engineering; Mechanical properties; Multiple sensory capabilities; Polymers; Recoverability; Robotics; Sensors; Skin care products; Stretchability; Studies; Three dimensional printing
• ISSN: 0924-4247; 1873-3069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2021.112855

[Display omitted] •A novel hybrid ionogel was successfully designed and synthesized.•The dynamically entangled network endows the hybrid ionogel with multifaceted mechanical performances.•The hybrid ionogel shows excellent strain and temperature sensitivities.•The assembled touch sensor can identify the various materials. In the past decades, biomimetic skin-like materials have received increasing research interests for many applications in flexible devices, soft robotics and artificial intelligence. However, such highly sophisticated intelligence has been mainly found in natural creatures while rarely realized in artificial materials, owing to the challenge in integration of multifaceted mechanical performances and multiple sensory capabilities. Herein, a novel hybrid ionogel is developed by combining a dynamically entangled network with a covalently crosslinked network in an ionic liquid. The dynamically entangled network provides the hybrid ionogel with a wide spectrum of mechanical properties including high stretchability, recoverability, self-healing and 3D printability. The functional groups (hydroxyl and carbonyl) from polymer chains endow the hybrid ionogel with long-term and repeatable adhesiveness. More importantly, the assembled hybrid ionogel-based sensory systems demonstrate multiple sensory capabilities toward strain, temperature, and even recognition of various materials. This work not only provides insights for the fabrication of novel multifunctional ionogel, but also promotes the development of flexible devices with sophisticated intelligence.