Cross-Linked, Transient Ionic Conductive Elastomer with Extreme Stretchability, Healability, and Degradability for Detecting Human Motions

The fabrication of solvent-free ionic conductive elastomers with high stretchability and degradability is highly desired yet challenging now. Here, solvent-free ionic conductive elastomers were fabricated by the polymerization of acrylic acid (AA)/1-vinylimidazole (IM)-type deep eutectic solvent. An ion pair between AA and IM was formed in the deep eutectic solvent during fabrication. Dynamic bonding including hydrogen bonding and ionic bonding between AA and IM attracted the polymeric chain crosslinking into a liquid-free polymer elastomer without extra cross-linkers. As-prepared conductive elastomers exhibit high transparency (91.4%), ultrahigh stretchability (1464%), fast autonomous self-healing, and degradability. Furthermore, the deep eutectic solvent-based elastomers could be easily attached to human skin and human activities could be detected with high sensitivity. The resulting ionic conductive elastomer with transparency, adhesiveness, self-healing ability, and degradation would meet the Sustainable Development Goals and have potential applications for wearable devices.