4D Printing of Mechanically Ultrastretchable and Ultrastrength Liquid‐Free Ionoelastomers with Rapid Responsiveness

Abstract

Abstract4D printing has attracted widespread attention due to its ability to fabricate complex structures capable of responding to specific stimuli. However, existing smart materials used for 4D printing, such as conventional hydrogels, liquid crystal elastomers, and shape‐memory polymers, are constrained in their ability to fulfill both mechanical ultrastrength and ultrastretchability requirements simultaneously due to their water saturation or uneven network structures. This study presents 4D printing of liquid‐free ionic elastomers (LFIEs) that is achieved through photopolymerization of the acrylic acid‐tetramethylammonium chloride‐polymerizable deep eutectic solvent. The transition temperature (Tt) of the high‐fracture‐strength LFIEs is adjusted by introducing phenylphosphoric acid, harboring multiple hydrogen‐bonds, leading to improved molecular chain mobility through softening of the chains. Consequently, the 4D‐printed LFIEs retain their high strength while achieving ultrastretchable properties even under elevated temperatures during heating. Moreover, the 4D‐printed LFIEs demonstrate both a swift response time and a high fixation rate even after undergoing repeated transformation cycles. These outstanding capabilities exhibit by LFIEs present a reliable strategy for advancing their applications in diverse fields, such as smart furniture, robotics, and intelligent manufacturing with remote monitoring, and beyond.