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Stretchable composites with high oxide loading

Author

Listed:
  • Yinglin Zhi

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Yan Shao

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Yancheng Institute of Technology)

  • Rui Xia

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Weikun Lin

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Daohang Cai

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Fuxing Zhao

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Jiufeng Dong

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Qingxian Li

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Zihao Wang

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Lixuan Li

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Long Gu

    (Xidian University)

  • Peng Tian

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Zhen He

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Jinlong Wang

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Guiling Ning

    (Dalian University of Technology)

  • Baowen Li

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Canhui Yang

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Hong Wang

    (Southern University of Science and Technology)

  • Shuhong Yu

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Southern University of Science and Technology
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yanhao Yu

    (Southern University of Science and Technology
    Southern University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

Oxide/elastomer composites combine the functional attributes of metal oxides with the mechanical deformability of elastomers, but face the challenge of balancing oxide loading and stretchability as ceramic fillers decrease the entropic elasticity of polymer networks. Here, we report an interfacial composite design that enables high oxide fraction and large stretchability by minimizing the contact area yet maximizing the binding strength between the oxide and elastomer. The elongation at break for an interfacial composite with 80 vol% of oxides reaches 500%, whereas that of a regular bulk composite with the same oxide fraction is 20%. These composites are synthesized based on a Marangoni co-assembly process with tuned interfacial tension and reaction at the water-oil interface. The assembly chemistry is nearly independent of oxides’ sizes, compositions, geometries, and functions, making this interfacial structure broadly applicable to optical, electric, magnetic, and thermal-conducting oxides. Compared to bulk composites, the interfacial composites deliver larger magnetic actuation, lower thermal resistance, and higher conformability with nonplanar surfaces, providing rich implications for designing intelligent and electronic systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Yinglin Zhi & Yan Shao & Rui Xia & Weikun Lin & Daohang Cai & Fuxing Zhao & Jiufeng Dong & Qingxian Li & Zihao Wang & Lixuan Li & Long Gu & Peng Tian & Zhen He & Jinlong Wang & Guiling Ning & Baowen L, 2025. "Stretchable composites with high oxide loading," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58844-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58844-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sun Hong Kim & Abdul Basir & Raudel Avila & Jaeman Lim & Seong Woo Hong & Geonoh Choe & Joo Hwan Shin & Jin Hee Hwang & Sun Young Park & Jiho Joo & Chanmi Lee & Jaehoon Choi & Byunghun Lee & Kwang-Seo, 2024. "Strain-invariant stretchable radio-frequency electronics," Nature, Nature, vol. 629(8014), pages 1047-1054, May.
    2. Zhiwei Hao & Asieh Ghanekarade & Ningtao Zhu & Katelyn Randazzo & Daisuke Kawaguchi & Keiji Tanaka & Xinping Wang & David S. Simmons & Rodney D. Priestley & Biao Zuo, 2021. "Mobility gradients yield rubbery surfaces on top of polymer glasses," Nature, Nature, vol. 596(7872), pages 372-376, August.
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    4. Yan Shao & Jianfeng Yan & Yinglin Zhi & Chun Li & Qingxian Li & Kaimin Wang & Rui Xia & Xinyue Xiang & Liqian Liu & Guoli Chen & Hanxue Zhang & Daohang Cai & Haochuan Wang & Xing Cheng & Canhui Yang &, 2024. "A universal packaging substrate for mechanically stable assembly of stretchable electronics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
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