3D printing of self-healing and degradable conductive ionoelastomers for customized flexible sensors

Conductive ionoelastomers (CIEs) have become a reliable alternatives to gel-based ionic conductors, attracting widespread attention in the field of flexible sensors. However, it remains a challenge to develop CIEs with an appealing combination of performance, including high self-healing efficiency, temperature resistance, degradability, and 3D printability. In this study, a novel photosensitive ionic liquid (polymerizable deep eutectic solvent) was designed as a precursor solution for UV-curable 3D printing. Subsequently, CIEs synthesized through UV-curing demonstrated good ionic conductivity (0.23 S m−1). The abundant hydrogen bond interactions within the elastomer network endowed the CIEs with outstanding stretchability (565 %), remarkable self-healing efficiency (99 % at room temperature), degradation capability, and the ability to maintain conductivity and self-healing across a wide temperature range (–23 to 50 °C). Following this, Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing was employed to fabricate CIEs with microstructures mimicking the interface between the epidermis and dermis layers of human skin. And the 3D printed components were assembled into highly sensitive ionic skin to monitor small deformations in real time. These features indicate that the well-rounded performance and feasible manufacturing make the developed CIEs promising for a wide range of applications in the field of flexible electronics.