High-performance solid-state ion-conductive elastomer based on multiple noncovalent interactions for flexible sensors

All-solid-state ionic conductive elastomers have gradually become an ideal alternative to conventional ionic gels due to their excellent performance in wearable electronic devices. However, the development of multifunctional ion-conductive elastomers that integrate high mechanical strength, high ionic conductivity, high toughness, excellent self-repairing capability, and good resilience still faces significant challenges. In this study, a polyurethane-urea dynamic ionic conductive elastomer (ICPUU) based on a multiple non-covalent interaction strategy is proposed, and the material is optimized for performance through these interactions. Specifically, the ionic coordination between the lithium ion and the carbonyl group in the soft-segmented polyester effectively facilitates the dissociation of lithium salts and ionic transport; moreover, the cation-π interaction between the benzene ring and the lithium ion and the synergistic effects of hydrogen-bonding networks significantly enhance the material’s mechanical strength and structural stability. As a result, the ICPUU elastomer achieves an ideal comprehensive balance between ionic conductivity, mechanical properties, and self-repair capabilities, exhibiting excellent overall performance. The prepared ICPUU elastomer exhibited high mechanical strength (68.7 MPa), high ionic conductance (1.32 × 10 −5 S cm −1 ), excellent self-healing efficiency (95.53 %), and outstanding puncture resistance (maximum puncture force of 103.6 N), along with good tensile resilience. The wearable strain sensors prepared based on this ICPUU material can effectively monitor human and mechanical motion, demonstrating broad application prospects in the fields of wearable devices and dynamic activity monitoring.