Highly Stable Heating Fibers of TiCT MXene and Polyacrylonitrile via Synergistic Thermal Annealing.

Nanohybrid assemblies provide an effective platform for integrating the intrinsic properties of individual components into microscale fibers. In this study, a novel approach for creating mechanically and environmentally stable MXene fibers through the synergistic assembly of MXene and polyacrylonitrile (PAN), is introduced. Unlike fibers generated via a conventional stabilization process, which relies on air-based stabilization to transform the PAN molecules into ring structures fundamental to carbon fibers, the hybrid fibers are annealed in an Ar atmosphere.

Ultrasoft and Ultrastretchable Wearable Strain Sensors with Anisotropic Conductivity Enabled by Liquid Metal Fillers.

Herein, ultrasoft and ultrastretchable wearable strain sensors enabled by liquid metal fillers in an elastic polymer are described. The wearable strain sensors that can change the effective resistance upon strains are prepared by mixing silicone elastomer with liquid metal (EGaIn, Eutectic gallium-indium alloy) fillers. While the silicone is mixed with the liquid metal by shear mixing, the liquid metal is rendered into small droplets stabilized by an oxide, resulting in a non-conductive liquid metal elastomer.

Synthesis of Polymer Electrolytes Based on Poly(ethylene oxide) and an Anion-Stabilizing Hard Polymer for Enhancing Conductivity and Cation Transport.

We have investigated a new methodology for improving the ionic conductivity and cation transport of polymer electrolytes by incorporating an anion-stabilizing hard polymer. A lamellar-forming poly(ethylene oxide--dithiooxamide) (PEO--PDTOA) block copolymer having enhanced ion conduction and mechanical strength, arising from PEO and PDTOA, respectively, was synthesized. Compared to a simple PEO/PDTOA blend, lithium salt-doped PEO--PDTOA exhibited significantly enhanced ionic conductivity, which is ascribed to efficient ion transport along the nanoscale PEO domains.