Supramolecular Ionogels for Use in Locating Damage to Underwater Infrastructure.

The capacity to self-detect and locate damage to underwater infrastructure in emergencies is vital, as materials and technologies that securely facilitate energy and information transmission are crucial in several fields. Herein, the development of a multifunctional supramolecular ionogel (SIG) and SIG-based devices for use in detecting and locating damage to underwater infrastructure is reported. The SIG is fabricated via the single-step photoinitiated copolymerization of hydroxy and fluorinated monomers in a fluorinated ionic liquid.

Elastomeric Liquid-Free Conductor for Iontronic Devices.

For a long time, the potential application of gel-based ionic devices was limited by the problem of liquid leakage or evaporation. Here, we utilized amorphous, irreversible and reversible cross-linked polyTA (PTA) as a matrix and lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonamide) (LiTFSI) as an electrolyte to prepare a stretchable (495%) and self-healing (94%) solvent-free elastomeric ionic conductor. The liquid-free ionic elastomer can be used as a stable strain sensor to monitor human activities sensitively under extreme temperatures.

Self-reporting of damage in underwater hierarchical ionic skins cascade reaction-regulated chemiluminescence.

Self-reporting of damage in underwater materials allows on-demand maintenance and, therefore, improves the reliability of materials used in aquatic environments. Here, we report a chemiluminescence-based strategy to self-report the mechanical damage (, fracture or puncture) in underwater hierarchical ionic skins (HI-skins). The chemiluminescence-based self-reporting is regulated by a cascade reaction, which first occurs at the interface between water and the damage location and then spreads through the whole material.

Tailoring Azlactone-Based Block Copolymers for Stimuli-Responsive Disassembly of Nanocarriers.

Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles based on a reactive block copolymers (BCPs) of poly(ethylene glycol)--poly(2-vinyl-4,4-dimethylazlactone) (PEG--PVDMA) have been fabricated for loading and controlled release of molecular cargoes. Microphase segregation of PEG--PVDMA BCPs enables the construction of well-defined nanoparticles in aqueous solutions. The azlactone groups in VDMA repeat units offer active sites for hydrophilization of the BCPs and functionalization by primary amines.