8 March 2024 | Ziguang Zhao, Ziquan Cao, Zhi Xin Wu, Wenxin Du, Xue Meng, Huawei Chen, Yuchen Wu, Lei Jiang, Mingjie Liu
A bicontinuous vitrimer heterogel (VHG) with wide-span switchable stiffness-gated iontronic coordination has been developed. This material combines a stiff vitrimer framework with a soft ion-liquid gel (ILgel) to achieve high mechanical strength, with an elastic modulus up to 116 MPa and a strain performance exceeding 1000%. The VHG exhibits a switchable stiffness ratio surpassing 5×10³, enabling programmable reprocessing and shape memory morphing. The unique bidirectional stiffness-gated piezoresistivity of the VHG iontronics coordinates both positive and negative piezoresistive properties, enhancing sensor capabilities. The bicontinuous structure integrates two interpenetrating frameworks, optimizing programmable properties and functional coordination. The VHG system shows high sensitivity and strain capacity, with a wide range of switchable stiffness and ion transmission. The ion liquid enhances the VHG network reconfiguration, enabling dynamic mechanical responses. The VHG demonstrates excellent performance in smart sensors, soft machines, and bioelectronics, with potential for future applications in complex environments. The study highlights the importance of phase engineering in developing advanced materials with tunable mechanical and iontronic properties.A bicontinuous vitrimer heterogel (VHG) with wide-span switchable stiffness-gated iontronic coordination has been developed. This material combines a stiff vitrimer framework with a soft ion-liquid gel (ILgel) to achieve high mechanical strength, with an elastic modulus up to 116 MPa and a strain performance exceeding 1000%. The VHG exhibits a switchable stiffness ratio surpassing 5×10³, enabling programmable reprocessing and shape memory morphing. The unique bidirectional stiffness-gated piezoresistivity of the VHG iontronics coordinates both positive and negative piezoresistive properties, enhancing sensor capabilities. The bicontinuous structure integrates two interpenetrating frameworks, optimizing programmable properties and functional coordination. The VHG system shows high sensitivity and strain capacity, with a wide range of switchable stiffness and ion transmission. The ion liquid enhances the VHG network reconfiguration, enabling dynamic mechanical responses. The VHG demonstrates excellent performance in smart sensors, soft machines, and bioelectronics, with potential for future applications in complex environments. The study highlights the importance of phase engineering in developing advanced materials with tunable mechanical and iontronic properties.