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<p>Stretchable conductive composites show promising applications ranging from wearable electronics to soft robotics. Gallium-based liquid metals (LMs) characterized by both high metallic conductivity and fluidity are ideal deformable fillers for stretchable conductive composites. However, high loading of LM and post-sintering are required to create conductive pathways, leading to high metal consumption, high density of composites, and increased fabrication complexity. Herein, we report a phase transition and mechanochemistry-enabled lightweight three-dimensional LM skeleton with a low density of 0.2&#xa0;g/cm<sup>3</sup> using a salt sacrificial template strategy. The initially conductive skeleton allows the capillary filling of various polymer precursors for sintering-free and on-demand formation of various functional composites. The resulting LM-Ecoflex composite exhibits low metal loading (3.7 vol%), high conductivity (1.3 × 10<sup>3</sup> S/m) and stretchability (774% strain), and good durability (Δ<i>R</i> = 1.2% over 10,000 cycles at 100% strain). Moreover, we show the monolithic fabrication of soft robotic actuators, which can be achieved by integrating the LM skeleton with thermally responsive polymers. We also demonstrate potential applications of LM-Ecoflex composites in enhanced electromagnetic shielding and heat transfer. This work provides a versatile way to on-demand create lightweight and multifunctional LM-based soft devices.</p> Graphical Abstract <p>A phase transition and mechanochemistry-enabled lightweight three-dimensional&#xa0;liquid metal (LM) skeleton is created using a salt sacrificial template strategy. The&#xa0;initially conductive skeleton allows the capillary filling of various polymer precursors&#xa0;for the sintering-free and on-demand formation of various functional composites. Such&#xa0;lightweight and conductive LM composites have advantages in robotic actuators,&#xa0;electromagnetic shielding, and thermal management.</p>

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Phase transition and mechanochemistry enabled lightweight liquid metal skeleton for multifunctional conductive composites

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月5日

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  • Jinyang Lu,
  • Biao Ma,
  • Gangsheng Chen,
  • Yi Chen,
  • Yakun Gao,
  • Yanjie Chen,
  • Haoran Deng,
  • Bo Lu,
  • Hong Liu

摘要

Stretchable conductive composites show promising applications ranging from wearable electronics to soft robotics. Gallium-based liquid metals (LMs) characterized by both high metallic conductivity and fluidity are ideal deformable fillers for stretchable conductive composites. However, high loading of LM and post-sintering are required to create conductive pathways, leading to high metal consumption, high density of composites, and increased fabrication complexity. Herein, we report a phase transition and mechanochemistry-enabled lightweight three-dimensional LM skeleton with a low density of 0.2 g/cm3 using a salt sacrificial template strategy. The initially conductive skeleton allows the capillary filling of various polymer precursors for sintering-free and on-demand formation of various functional composites. The resulting LM-Ecoflex composite exhibits low metal loading (3.7 vol%), high conductivity (1.3 × 103 S/m) and stretchability (774% strain), and good durability (ΔR = 1.2% over 10,000 cycles at 100% strain). Moreover, we show the monolithic fabrication of soft robotic actuators, which can be achieved by integrating the LM skeleton with thermally responsive polymers. We also demonstrate potential applications of LM-Ecoflex composites in enhanced electromagnetic shielding and heat transfer. This work provides a versatile way to on-demand create lightweight and multifunctional LM-based soft devices.

Graphical Abstract

A phase transition and mechanochemistry-enabled lightweight three-dimensional liquid metal (LM) skeleton is created using a salt sacrificial template strategy. The initially conductive skeleton allows the capillary filling of various polymer precursors for the sintering-free and on-demand formation of various functional composites. Such lightweight and conductive LM composites have advantages in robotic actuators, electromagnetic shielding, and thermal management.