Enhancing energy conversion efficiency in entangled hydrogel actuators
Traditional hydrogels-based actuators are hin-dered by limitations such as low deliverable forces(~2 kPa)and sluggish actuation speeds,culminating in persistent issues with low work density(~0.01 kJ/m3).Furthermore,achieving low hysteresis and high strength presents significant chal-lenges in both their synthesis and applications.Herein,we developed poly(acrylic acid)hydrogels characterized by sparse cross-linking and high entanglement,effectively addressing these issues.Inspired by the energy conversion mechanisms of mammalian muscle fibers,the hydrogels were utilized for storing and releasing elastic potential energy in polymer net-work.Notably,we achieved a remarkable contractile force of 60.6 kPa,an ultrahigh work density of 30.8 kJ/m3,and an energy conversion efficiency of up to 53.8%.Furthermore,the hydrogels exhibit unique dual-state functionality,seamlessly transitioning between elasticity and plasticity,which paves the way for adaptable and precisely controllable energy release mechanisms.These features hold significant potential for di-verse practical applications,providing a promising advance-ment for hydrogel actuators.
hydrogelentanglementenergystoragerelease
张斌、邱建辉、孟雪芬、境英一、冯辉霞、张靓、唐建华、张国宏、吴宏、郭少云
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Department of Mechanical Engineering,Faculty of Systems Science and Technology,Akita Prefectural University,Yurihonjyo 015-0055,Japan
College of Petrochemical Technology,Lanzhou University of Technology,Lanzhou 730050,China
Shaanxi Expressway Test and Inspection Company,Ltd.,Xi'an 710086,China
The State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering,Sichuan University,Chengdu 610065,China