Highly Transparent, Conductive, and Mechanically Robust Hydrogels via Rapid In Situ Synthesis for Flexible Electronics

Abstract Hydrogels face challenges as flexible electronic materials, including complex preparation processes and difficulty in balancing frost resistance, water retention, and mechanical properties. Here, a cost‐effective and efficient strategy for in situ rapid synthesis of hydrogels with Mo2C‐deri...

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Main Authors: W. Yuan, J. Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley-VCH 2025-07-01
Series:Advanced Electronic Materials
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202400987
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author W. Yuan
J. Zhao
author_facet W. Yuan
J. Zhao
author_sort W. Yuan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Hydrogels face challenges as flexible electronic materials, including complex preparation processes and difficulty in balancing frost resistance, water retention, and mechanical properties. Here, a cost‐effective and efficient strategy for in situ rapid synthesis of hydrogels with Mo2C‐derived molybdenum polyoxometalates (POM) is developed. The Mo‐POM/ammonium persulfate (APS) redox pair enables rapid initiation of in situ free radical polymerization at room temperature, effectively addressing the limitations associated with conventional photo‐ or thermally‐initiated methods. The tunable redox activity of Mo‐POM allows precise control of polymerization time. This synthesis strategy utilizes the “freezing effect” achieved through rapid polymerization to achieve a uniform distribution of hydrogel components. Additionally, the incorporation of Mo‐POM and sodium alginate (SA) introduces diverse intermolecular interactions within the hydrogel network, significantly enhancing mechanical properties. LiCl incorporation provides exceptional frost resistance, water retention, durability, and stability even under prolonged load cycling. Furthermore, the hydrogel demonstrates outstanding electromechanical properties, reliably and rapidly responding to both large and subtle motions. This tunable synthesis strategy successfully balances mechanical and electromechanical performance, antifreeze capability, water retention, and durability. Consequently, it offers a promising approach for large‐scale, cost‐effective industrial production of high‐performance hydrogels.
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spelling doaj-art-ec51f10151cd46b397b28eb2fca700d02025-08-20T03:28:44ZengWiley-VCHAdvanced Electronic Materials2199-160X2025-07-011110n/an/a10.1002/aelm.202400987Highly Transparent, Conductive, and Mechanically Robust Hydrogels via Rapid In Situ Synthesis for Flexible ElectronicsW. Yuan0J. Zhao1Department of Materials Science International Institute of Intelligent Nanorobots and Nanosystems State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers Fudan University Shanghai 200438 P. R. ChinaDepartment of Materials Science International Institute of Intelligent Nanorobots and Nanosystems State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers Fudan University Shanghai 200438 P. R. ChinaAbstract Hydrogels face challenges as flexible electronic materials, including complex preparation processes and difficulty in balancing frost resistance, water retention, and mechanical properties. Here, a cost‐effective and efficient strategy for in situ rapid synthesis of hydrogels with Mo2C‐derived molybdenum polyoxometalates (POM) is developed. The Mo‐POM/ammonium persulfate (APS) redox pair enables rapid initiation of in situ free radical polymerization at room temperature, effectively addressing the limitations associated with conventional photo‐ or thermally‐initiated methods. The tunable redox activity of Mo‐POM allows precise control of polymerization time. This synthesis strategy utilizes the “freezing effect” achieved through rapid polymerization to achieve a uniform distribution of hydrogel components. Additionally, the incorporation of Mo‐POM and sodium alginate (SA) introduces diverse intermolecular interactions within the hydrogel network, significantly enhancing mechanical properties. LiCl incorporation provides exceptional frost resistance, water retention, durability, and stability even under prolonged load cycling. Furthermore, the hydrogel demonstrates outstanding electromechanical properties, reliably and rapidly responding to both large and subtle motions. This tunable synthesis strategy successfully balances mechanical and electromechanical performance, antifreeze capability, water retention, and durability. Consequently, it offers a promising approach for large‐scale, cost‐effective industrial production of high‐performance hydrogels.https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202400987durable hydrogelflexible electronicsmolybdenum polyoxometalatestrain sensorsuperfast gelation
spellingShingle W. Yuan
J. Zhao
Highly Transparent, Conductive, and Mechanically Robust Hydrogels via Rapid In Situ Synthesis for Flexible Electronics
Advanced Electronic Materials
durable hydrogel
flexible electronics
molybdenum polyoxometalate
strain sensor
superfast gelation
title Highly Transparent, Conductive, and Mechanically Robust Hydrogels via Rapid In Situ Synthesis for Flexible Electronics
title_full Highly Transparent, Conductive, and Mechanically Robust Hydrogels via Rapid In Situ Synthesis for Flexible Electronics
title_fullStr Highly Transparent, Conductive, and Mechanically Robust Hydrogels via Rapid In Situ Synthesis for Flexible Electronics
title_full_unstemmed Highly Transparent, Conductive, and Mechanically Robust Hydrogels via Rapid In Situ Synthesis for Flexible Electronics
title_short Highly Transparent, Conductive, and Mechanically Robust Hydrogels via Rapid In Situ Synthesis for Flexible Electronics
title_sort highly transparent conductive and mechanically robust hydrogels via rapid in situ synthesis for flexible electronics
topic durable hydrogel
flexible electronics
molybdenum polyoxometalate
strain sensor
superfast gelation
url https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202400987
work_keys_str_mv AT wyuan highlytransparentconductiveandmechanicallyrobusthydrogelsviarapidinsitusynthesisforflexibleelectronics
AT jzhao highlytransparentconductiveandmechanicallyrobusthydrogelsviarapidinsitusynthesisforflexibleelectronics