In-situ localised alignment assisted salting-out enhanced ionogels with high strength, toughness and impact resistance
Abstract Ionic gels have promise in a range of applications but are limited in extreme environments. Here, we report a method for preparation of an ionic gel with improved mechanical properties, through the formation of a micro-orientated structure and increased crystallisation and aggregation of po...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63148-0 |
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| author | Zhentao Zhang Min Sang Zimu Li Yucheng Pan Jianpeng Wu Shilong Duan Xinglong Gong |
| author_facet | Zhentao Zhang Min Sang Zimu Li Yucheng Pan Jianpeng Wu Shilong Duan Xinglong Gong |
| author_sort | Zhentao Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Ionic gels have promise in a range of applications but are limited in extreme environments. Here, we report a method for preparation of an ionic gel with improved mechanical properties, through the formation of a micro-orientated structure and increased crystallisation and aggregation of polymer chains. The resulting ionic gels exhibit tunable mechanical properties, including high strength (18.1–62.2 MPa), toughness (56.8–123.7 MJ m−3), modulus (18.8–187.8 MPa), and excellent impact resistance. These gels exhibit greater energy dissipation than Kevlar under comparable impact velocities. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the localised alignment assisted salting-out process enhances hydrogen bonding and chain interactions, improving structural stability. This strategy is also effective in other polymer systems, such as PAAM hydrogels, demonstrating broad applicability. Overall, this approach greatly enhances the mechanical and protective performance of ionic gels for demanding applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-48ed0926932a4652ad68d3dd5ccd714e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-48ed0926932a4652ad68d3dd5ccd714e2025-08-24T11:39:46ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-0116111110.1038/s41467-025-63148-0In-situ localised alignment assisted salting-out enhanced ionogels with high strength, toughness and impact resistanceZhentao Zhang0Min Sang1Zimu Li2Yucheng Pan3Jianpeng Wu4Shilong Duan5Xinglong Gong6Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)Department of Modern Mechanics, CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)Abstract Ionic gels have promise in a range of applications but are limited in extreme environments. Here, we report a method for preparation of an ionic gel with improved mechanical properties, through the formation of a micro-orientated structure and increased crystallisation and aggregation of polymer chains. The resulting ionic gels exhibit tunable mechanical properties, including high strength (18.1–62.2 MPa), toughness (56.8–123.7 MJ m−3), modulus (18.8–187.8 MPa), and excellent impact resistance. These gels exhibit greater energy dissipation than Kevlar under comparable impact velocities. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the localised alignment assisted salting-out process enhances hydrogen bonding and chain interactions, improving structural stability. This strategy is also effective in other polymer systems, such as PAAM hydrogels, demonstrating broad applicability. Overall, this approach greatly enhances the mechanical and protective performance of ionic gels for demanding applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63148-0 |
| spellingShingle | Zhentao Zhang Min Sang Zimu Li Yucheng Pan Jianpeng Wu Shilong Duan Xinglong Gong In-situ localised alignment assisted salting-out enhanced ionogels with high strength, toughness and impact resistance Nature Communications |
| title | In-situ localised alignment assisted salting-out enhanced ionogels with high strength, toughness and impact resistance |
| title_full | In-situ localised alignment assisted salting-out enhanced ionogels with high strength, toughness and impact resistance |
| title_fullStr | In-situ localised alignment assisted salting-out enhanced ionogels with high strength, toughness and impact resistance |
| title_full_unstemmed | In-situ localised alignment assisted salting-out enhanced ionogels with high strength, toughness and impact resistance |
| title_short | In-situ localised alignment assisted salting-out enhanced ionogels with high strength, toughness and impact resistance |
| title_sort | in situ localised alignment assisted salting out enhanced ionogels with high strength toughness and impact resistance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63148-0 |
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