Self-Healing Conductive Elastomer With Transparent Stretchable Films
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current self-healing materials face challenges in achieving simultaneous transparency, electrical conductivity, and mechanical stability, especially under stretchable and deformable conditions, with existing autonomously self-repairing transparent conductors lacking in restoring 100% pristine conductivity and being limited in applications due to external stimulus requirements.
Innovation Solution
A novel transparent, tough, and stretchable electrically conducting elastomer with anisotropic conductivity is developed, comprising PEDOT:PSS and polyborosiloxane-based polymers, capable of autonomous self-repair without external intervention, featuring a unique phase-separated structure and supramolecular interactions for enhanced adhesion and water-triggered swelling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional non-healable materials use percolation nanowire networks to achieve transparency and electrical conductivity, then mechanical compliance is improved, but mechanical durability and deformability deteriorate due to permanent bond breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bonding parameter from permanent covalent bonds to reversible supramolecular interactions (hydrogen bonds, pi-pi stacking, metal coordination), enabling the material to dynamically adapt its bonding state during deformation and self-healing processes, thus maintaining both compliance and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining conductive fillers (nanowires, nanotubes, or conducting polymers) with self-healing polymer matrices that contain supramolecular bonding mechanisms, achieving synergistic effects where the matrix provides durability through reversible bonding while fillers maintain conductivity
2Ease of repair
If autonomously self-healing transparent conductors are designed with supramolecular interactions, then self-repair capability is improved, but electrical conductivity deteriorates due to discontinuous conductive networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct regions: conductive filler networks provide electrical conductivity in specific zones, while supramolecular polymer matrices provide self-healing capabilities in other zones, with interfaces that facilitate both functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs multi-functional components where conductive fillers not only provide electrical conductivity but also participate in supramolecular interactions (e.g., pi-pi stacking between aromatic rings in conducting polymers and matrix), enabling single components to serve multiple functions
3Ease of repair
If self-healing conductors require external stimulus triggers, then self-repair initiation is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing supramolecular bonds with inherent reversibility characteristics (temperature-independent dissociation/reassociation), allowing the material to autonomously detect and repair damage without external sensors, controllers, or energy input, thus eliminating additional system complexity
4Reliability
If transparent conductors achieve high electrical conductivity through dense nanomaterial networks, then conductivity is improved, but transparency and mechanical flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by using discrete nanoscale fillers (nanowires, nanotubes) or phase-separated conducting polymer domains distributed throughout the transparent matrix, creating conductive pathways at the nanoscale while maintaining macroscopic optical transparency through proper size control and spacing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The material achieves complete restoration of electrical conductivity and mechanical properties, exhibits excellent adhesion, and is suitable for various applications including soft electronics and sensors, with tunable properties for strain sensitivity and durability in diverse conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conducting phase comprising PEDOT:PSS
Implementation Method 2
Due to supramolecular interactions, the material also has excellent adhesion capacity in dry and wet conditions to materials with varied surface roughness and/or chemistries
Implementation Method 3
The material shows a complex anisotropic swelling underwater that may enable water-sensitive or moisture-triggered soft actuators with smart sensing capabilities
Implementation Method 4
The material has been made electrically conducting with an anisotropic electrical conductivity, when for example in the form of a film, up to more than 1 S cm -1σ ∥ ; along PEDOT-rich nanofibrils), parallel ( σ ┴ ; perpendicularly to PEDOT-rich nanofibrils), and through ( σ ; from conducting plane to insulating plane; volume conductivity)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
The present application relates to a self-healing, electrically conducting elastomer, comprising an electrically conducting phase comprising PEDOT:PSS, and an electrically insulating phase comprising a polyborosiloxane-based polymer. The present application also related to a method for manufacturing the self-healing, electrically conducting elastomer.