Mechanically Robust,
Environmentally Resistant, and
Piezoionic Polyzwitterionic Composite Eutectogels Based on Polysaccharide
Complexation Strategy for Stable Voltage Output, Energy Storage, and
Strain Sensing
posted on 2025-07-30, 18:33authored byHongping Li, Bai Huang, Zongming Lv, Jiang Liu, Fuxing Lan, Lihua Fu, Baofeng Lin, Chuanhui Xu
Polyzwitterionic gels with both positively and negatively
charged
groups have attracted attention because of their excellent biocompatibility
and high water absorption. However, insufficient mechanical properties
due to fragile cross-linked networks and low stability due to aqueous
solvents are still prominent. In this study, a deep eutectic solvent
(DES) was introduced into the sulfobetaine zwitterionic monomer DMAPS([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulphonatopropyl)ammonium
hydroxide) system. Based on the complexation strategy of sodium alginate
(SA) polysaccharide, a polyzwitterionic network skeleton was constructed
to prepare a composite eutectogel with high strength, environmental
resistance, and high conductivity. The presence of DES enables polyzwitterionic
gels to obtain excellent environmental stability at high and low temperatures.
Notably, the introduction of SA significantly enhanced the tensile
strength, Young’s modulus, and toughness of the eutectogel
without affecting the high transparency. This is attributed to the
network of hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions within
the matrix–filler constructed by the hydroxyl-rich and charged
groups of SA in the presence of calcium ion complexation. At the same
time, the polyzwitterionic network skeleton provides abundant binding
sites for ion migration, which endows the eutectogels with excellent
ionic conductivity (0.13–0.48 S·m<sup>–1</sup>).
Thanks to its internal porous structure, the composite eutectogel
can provide a stable piezoionic output and be used for pressure response
and powering LED lights. In addition, supercapacitors and strain sensors
assembled on the basis of composite eutectogels proved their potential
for applications in areas such as energy storage and human motion
monitoring. In conclusion, this study provides important guidance
for the construction of biomass ionic network skeletons and the development
of high-performance ion-conducting materials.