3D Printable, ultra-stretchable, Self-healable, and self-adhesive dual cross-linked nanocomposite ionogels as ultra-durable strain sensors for motion detection and wearable human-machine interface

Stretchable and transparent ionic conductive gels are considered as promising wearable strain sensors for motion detection and human–machine interface. However, it is a challenge to develop efficient and convenient method to fabricate high-precision, self-healable, highly stretchable and temperature tolerant ionogels, particularly can work in extreme environments. Herein, a novel 3D printable nanocomposite chemical ionogel has been fabricated by one-step photopolymerization, which POSS nanodots as multifunctional chemical crosslinking points and PAA hydrogen bonds as reversible physical crosslinking points. The special dual cross-linking structures endow it record-ultrahigh stretchability (≈7000%), high conductivity, self-healability, self-adhesiveness, and superior wide tolerant temperatures (-78–235 °C). The nanocomposite ionogels based strain sensors show widely sensing range (1%-1200%), excellent durability (10000 cycles), extreme low (-60 °C) and high (150 °C) working temperatures, and can be assembled as wearable sensors for detecting various human motions. More importantly, these ionogels can also be applied for the wearable human–machine interface which can recognize and distinguish the human gestures and can also control the mechanical hand, particularly can work normally from −60 to 150 °C. Therefore, our superior multifunctional ultra-stretchable nanocomposite ionogel design creates a new concept for development of 3D printing intelligent electronics and artificial intelligence, especially for applications in extreme environments.