Background：
Soft electronics have gained significant attention due to their lightweight, mechanical flexibility, and biocompatibility, making them ideal for applications such as health monitoring, human-machine interfaces, and augmented reality/virtual reality communications. However, challenges remain in simultaneously achieving high mechanical performance, electrical conductivity, and environmental sustainability in ionic liquid-based conductive hydrogels. While ILs possess unique properties such as high ionic conductivity, non-volatility, and thermal stability, existing hydrogel preparation methods often struggle to balance toughness and conductivity with biocompatibility and recyclability. To address these issues, this study introduces a novel ionic liquid/polyvinyl alcohol conductive hydrogel that leverages a combination of wet annealing and freeze-thaw strategies. By optimizing the preparation process and material design, the developed hydrogel achieves exceptional mechanical performance, electrical conductivity, and environmental friendliness, offering a promising solution for flexible and sustainable electronics.
Conclusion：
This study presents a highly tough and multifunctional ionic liquid/polyvinyl alcohol conductive hydrogel with outstanding mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and environmental sustainability. Through the synergistic combination of wet annealing and freeze-thaw strategies, the hydrogel exhibits exceptional tensile strength, elongation at break, toughness, and electrical conductivity. The ionic liquid/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel demonstrates excellent stability under repeated mechanical deformation and can be recycled without significant loss of performance, reducing electronic waste and enhancing its eco-friendly profile. Furthermore, the prepared hydrogel exhibits excellent antibacterial properties and multifunctional applications, including use in strain sensors and supercapacitors. These features highlight its potential for flexible electronic devices and wearable technologies. By balancing mechanical strength, conductivity, and biocompatibility, this work advances the design of green and sustainable soft electronic materials, paving the way for future innovations in flexible electronics.
Science Bulletin
Experimental study