A Review of Recent Progress in Fabrication Methods and Applications of Polydimethylsiloxane Sponge

Abstract

Research on stretchable materials has gained momentum with the increasing commercialization of wearable and flexible devices. Among the materials used in stretchable electronics, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is popular owing to its remarkable mechanical properties when subjected to deformation. Recent studies have shown that sponge-like porous PDMS is gaining attention, as it provides high surface area and strong absorption properties as well as facilitates mass transfer, making it ideal for use in electronics. This review primarily focuses on the production method and application of porous PDMS. The article describes the various processing methods used to produce porous PDMS, including 3D printing, gas foaming, and phase separation, each of which results in different characteristics. Thus, researchers can choose the most suitable method according to their desired application. Porous PDMS provides channels for mass transfer and strong absorption properties that enable addition of fillers such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and metal nanoparticles, which can further enhance the functionality of the material. In addition, the review covers applications according to the filler used, such as sensors using CNT, flexible electrodes using NiO/MnO2/CNT, and nanogenerators using ZnO. Choosing the right material for the filler is important for obtaining the desired characteristics as per its application.