Highly stretchable and transparent ionic conducting elastomers

Abstract

Traditional elastomers are mostly dielectrics; existing conductive elastomers are conductive composites with electric conductors. Herein, we introduce a series of ionic conducting elastomers (ICE) by salt in polymer strategy. The ICEs possess good stretchability, transparency and ionic conductivity. Moreover, the ICEs exhibit very high stability in air, under high temperature and voltage, with excellent adhesion properties and no corrosive effects to metal electrodes. Touch sensors are fabricated using these ICEs - impedance spectra and impedance complex plane are tested and analyzed to clarify different stimulus of the touch sensors. These ICEs provide possibilities for flexible electronics and soft machines.