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Electric‐Field‐Induced Gradient Ionogels for Highly Sensitive, Broad‐Range‐Response, and Freeze/Heat‐Resistant Ionic Fingers
Author(s) -
Ren Yongyuan,
Liu Ziyang,
Jin Guoqing,
Yang Mengke,
Shao Yizhe,
Li Weizheng,
Wu Yiqing,
Liu Lili,
Yan Feng
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.202008486
Subject(s) - materials science , temperature gradient , anode , electric field , sensitivity (control systems) , electric field gradient , range (aeronautics) , microstructure , nanotechnology , cathode , chemical physics , composite material , electrode , electronic engineering , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Human fingers exhibit both high sensitivity and wide tactile range. The finger skin structures are designed to display gradient microstructures and compressibility. Inspired by the gradient mechanical Young's modulus distribution, an electric‐field‐induced cationic crosslinker migration strategy is demonstrated to prepare gradient ionogels. Due to the gradient of the crosslinkers, the ionogels exhibit more than four orders of magnitude difference between the anode and the cathode side, enabling gradient ionogel‐based flexible iontronic sensors having high‐sensitivity and broader‐range detection (from 3 × 10 2 to 2.5 × 10 6 Pa) simultaneously. Moreover, owing to the remarkable properties of the gradient ionogels, the flexible iontronic sensors also show good long‐time stability (even after 10 000 cycles loadings) and excellent performance over a wide temperature range (from −108 to 300 °C). The flexible iontronic sensors are further integrated on soft grips, exhibiting remarkable performance under various conditions. These attractive features demonstrate that gradient ionogels will be promising candidates for smart sensor applications in complex and extreme conditions.