Enhancing energy conversion efficiency in entangled hydrogel actuators  

纠缠水凝胶驱动器能量转化效率的增强

作　　者：Bin Zhang Jianhui Qiu Xuefen Meng Eiichi Sakai Huixia Feng Liang Zhang Jianhua Tang Guohong Zhang Hong Wu Shaoyun Guo 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

机构地区：[1]Department of Mechanical Engineering,Faculty of Systems Science and Technology,Akita Prefectural University,Yurihonjyo 015-0055,Japan [2]College of Petrochemical Technology,Lanzhou University of Technology,Lanzhou 730050,China [3]Shaanxi Expressway Test and Inspection Company,Ltd.,Xi’an 710086,China [4]The State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering,Sichuan University,Chengdu 610065,China

出　　处：《Science China Materials》2024年第12期3956-3965,共10页中国科学（材料科学）（英文版）

基　　金：supported by China Scholarship Council(202308050028)。

摘　　要：Traditional hydrogels-based actuators are hindered by limitations such as low deliverable forces(∼2 kPa)and sluggish actuation speeds,culminating in persistent issues with low work density(∼0.01 kJ/m^(3)).Furthermore,achieving low hysteresis and high strength presents significant challenges 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 network.Notably,we achieved a remarkable contractile force of 60.6 kPa,an ultrahigh work density of 30.8 kJ/m^(3),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 diverse practical applications,providing a promising advancement for hydrogel actuators.传统基于水凝胶的驱动器面临诸多限制,例如低输出力(约2 kPa)和缓慢的驱动速率,因而导致其功密度低(约0.01 kJ/m^(3))的问题长期存在.此外,在水凝胶合成和应用中,实现低滞后和高强度也面临重大挑战.本文中,我们开发了一种稀疏交联且高纠缠的聚丙烯酸水凝胶(PAAc),有效解决了这些问题.受到哺乳动物肌肉纤维能量转换机制的启发,该水凝胶被用于储存和释放聚合物网络中的弹性势能.值得注意的是,我们实现了60.6 kPa的强收缩力、30.8 kJ/m^(3)的超高功密度,以及高达53.8%的能量转换效率.此外,该水凝胶展现出独特的双态功能,能够在弹性和塑性之间无缝转换,为可调节和精准控制能量释放机制奠定了基础.这些特性使得水凝胶驱动器有望实现多样化实际应用.

关 键 词：HYDROGEL ENTANGLEMENT energy STORAGE RELEASE 

分 类 号：TQ427.26[化学工程]