Acronym: TRIDECK
Project code: PN-IV-P1-PCE-2023-0558
Starting date: 08.01.2025, Duration: 36 months
Total budget: 1 200 000 lei
Project leader: Dr. Sergiu COSERI
Contract Authority: Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI), Funding programme: PNCDI IV - Programme 5.1 – Ideas, Subprogram: Exploratory Research Projects - 2023 Call
The current project aims to advance knowledge in the area of flexible electronics for wearable strain sensors in human motion, adopting a new paradigm: "starting from living inspirational models". The idea behind this model is based on the extraordinary characteristics of the most widespread natural polymer on Earth: cellulose.
Ionic conductive hydrogels made from naturally available materials, are the best options for creating flexible electronics. However, cellulosic hydrogels featuring both high mechanical strength and ionic conductivity remain extremely challenging to achieve because the ionic charge carriers tend to destroy the hydrogen-bonding network among cellulose. In this project, we propose a supramolecular engineering strategy to boost the mechanical performance and ionic conductivity of cellulosic hydrogels. In this approach, triple polymeric networks design mimicking a sandwich structure are used to construct the ionic conductive elastomer. In a brand-new, system of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) employed as a reaction medium, the three polymers—polyvinyl alcohol, nanofibrillated cellulose dialdehyde, and a polyamine made from polyacrylonitrile—are mixed and allow forging an impressive structure with nanofibrillated cellulose strongly caught between the other two polymers. The proposed DES, combines choline chloride with 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid, ensuring the simultaneous fulfillment of at least three requirements—homogeneous reaction media, supplier of ester boron bonds, and ionic conductivity—in a straightforward yet clever manner. In the proposed working plan is realized, we anticipate that the exceptional mechanical qualities, self-healing, and electrical conductivity of hydrogels will have several potential applications in the fields of intelligent robots, and human care. |
