Multifunctional polymers a new frontier in conductivity and energy generation for advanced electronics

The development of functional polymers emerges as a highly promising area, though it remains largely unexplored. The ability of simple polymers to perform functions beyond their traditional characteristics opens new frontiers in materials science. The creation of polymers that simultaneously act as...

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Main Authors: Gabriel Martins Franco, Ingridi dos Santos Kremer, Maria Cecília Caldeira Vieira, Josué Neroti Rigue, Jocenir Boita
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Next Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949822824003745
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author Gabriel Martins Franco
Ingridi dos Santos Kremer
Maria Cecília Caldeira Vieira
Josué Neroti Rigue
Jocenir Boita
author_facet Gabriel Martins Franco
Ingridi dos Santos Kremer
Maria Cecília Caldeira Vieira
Josué Neroti Rigue
Jocenir Boita
author_sort Gabriel Martins Franco
collection DOAJ
description The development of functional polymers emerges as a highly promising area, though it remains largely unexplored. The ability of simple polymers to perform functions beyond their traditional characteristics opens new frontiers in materials science. The creation of polymers that simultaneously act as energy generators and conductive materials heralds a promising future for advanced electronics. However, conductive polymers face challenges that may increase the final cost, such as the need for expensive equipment, handling restrictions on materials, and low yields from conventional synthesis methods. In this study, we present an alternative approach to the fabrication of conductive polymers with energy-related properties. The innovation lies in using common polymers combined with metallic particles to provide advanced functionalities. The particles used are environmentally safe, and the polymer bases are non-toxic. The synthesis and mixing processes can be safely conducted in the laboratory with minimal equipment, enabling large-scale replication, including in industrial settings. We obtained a sample composed of iron-based particles and a white glue (PVA) polymer matrix, with a consistency similar to natural rubber—flexible, easy to handle, and with conductive properties within the semiconductor range. In addition to conducting electricity, this new material demonstrated the ability to generate electrical energy and respond to external stimuli, paving the way for a wide range of applications, such as sensors, energy storage devices, and flexible electronic components.
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spelling doaj-art-31bca502139a4c659e9f0e6f58fb475a2025-08-20T03:16:35ZengElsevierNext Materials2949-82282025-01-01610047610.1016/j.nxmate.2024.100476Multifunctional polymers a new frontier in conductivity and energy generation for advanced electronicsGabriel Martins Franco0Ingridi dos Santos Kremer1Maria Cecília Caldeira Vieira2Josué Neroti Rigue3Jocenir Boita4Laboratory of Nanomaterial Synthesis and Characterization - LSCnano, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) - Cachoeira do Sul Campus, Taufik Germano Highway, No. 3013, Passo D′Areia District, Rio Grande, do Sul (RS) Postal Code: 96503-205, BrazilLaboratory of Nanomaterial Synthesis and Characterization - LSCnano, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) - Cachoeira do Sul Campus, Taufik Germano Highway, No. 3013, Passo D′Areia District, Rio Grande, do Sul (RS) Postal Code: 96503-205, BrazilLaboratory of Nanomaterial Synthesis and Characterization - LSCnano, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) - Cachoeira do Sul Campus, Taufik Germano Highway, No. 3013, Passo D′Areia District, Rio Grande, do Sul (RS) Postal Code: 96503-205, BrazilDepartment of Physics of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Laboratory of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (LMMM), Roraima Avenue, No. 1000 University City Camobi District Santa Maria, ZIP Code: 97105-900, Building: 13 Room:, RS 1102, BrazilLaboratory of Nanomaterial Synthesis and Characterization - LSCnano, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) - Cachoeira do Sul Campus, Taufik Germano Highway, No. 3013, Passo D′Areia District, Rio Grande, do Sul (RS) Postal Code: 96503-205, Brazil; Corresponding author.The development of functional polymers emerges as a highly promising area, though it remains largely unexplored. The ability of simple polymers to perform functions beyond their traditional characteristics opens new frontiers in materials science. The creation of polymers that simultaneously act as energy generators and conductive materials heralds a promising future for advanced electronics. However, conductive polymers face challenges that may increase the final cost, such as the need for expensive equipment, handling restrictions on materials, and low yields from conventional synthesis methods. In this study, we present an alternative approach to the fabrication of conductive polymers with energy-related properties. The innovation lies in using common polymers combined with metallic particles to provide advanced functionalities. The particles used are environmentally safe, and the polymer bases are non-toxic. The synthesis and mixing processes can be safely conducted in the laboratory with minimal equipment, enabling large-scale replication, including in industrial settings. We obtained a sample composed of iron-based particles and a white glue (PVA) polymer matrix, with a consistency similar to natural rubber—flexible, easy to handle, and with conductive properties within the semiconductor range. In addition to conducting electricity, this new material demonstrated the ability to generate electrical energy and respond to external stimuli, paving the way for a wide range of applications, such as sensors, energy storage devices, and flexible electronic components.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949822824003745Conductive polymersMultifunctional MaterialsEnergy StorageSemiconductorsSensors
spellingShingle Gabriel Martins Franco
Ingridi dos Santos Kremer
Maria Cecília Caldeira Vieira
Josué Neroti Rigue
Jocenir Boita
Multifunctional polymers a new frontier in conductivity and energy generation for advanced electronics
Next Materials
Conductive polymers
Multifunctional Materials
Energy Storage
Semiconductors
Sensors
title Multifunctional polymers a new frontier in conductivity and energy generation for advanced electronics
title_full Multifunctional polymers a new frontier in conductivity and energy generation for advanced electronics
title_fullStr Multifunctional polymers a new frontier in conductivity and energy generation for advanced electronics
title_full_unstemmed Multifunctional polymers a new frontier in conductivity and energy generation for advanced electronics
title_short Multifunctional polymers a new frontier in conductivity and energy generation for advanced electronics
title_sort multifunctional polymers a new frontier in conductivity and energy generation for advanced electronics
topic Conductive polymers
Multifunctional Materials
Energy Storage
Semiconductors
Sensors
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949822824003745
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