Constructing Electrically and Mechanically Self-Healing Elastomers by Hydrogen Bonded Intermolecular Network

• Published in: Langmuir 2020-03, Vol.36 (12), p.3029-3037
• Main Authors: Yang, Ruiyu, Yao, Yujin, Duan, Zaihua, Yuan, Zhen, Tai, Huiling, Jiang, Yadong, Zheng, Yonghao, Wang, Dongsheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c00221

One key limitation of artificial skin-like materials is the shortened service life caused by mechanical damages during practical applications. The ability to self-heal can effectively extend the material service life, reduce the maintenance cost, and ensure safety. Therefore, it is important and necessary to fabricate materials with simultaneously mechanical and electrical self-healing behavior in a facile and convenient way. Herein, we report a stretchable and conductive self-healing elastomer based on intermolecular networks between poly­(acrylic acid) (PAA) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through a facile and convenient postreduction and one-pot method. The introduction of rGO provides the PAA-GO elastomers with good mechanical stability and electrical properties. Moreover, this material exhibited both electrical and mechanical self-healing properties. After cutting, the elastomers self-healed quickly (∼30 s) and efficiently (∼95%) at room temperature. The elastomers were accurate and reliable in detecting external strain even after healing. The elastomers were further applied for strain sensors, which were attached directly to human skin to monitor external movements, including finger bending and wrist twisting.