Biomass crosslinked fluorinated methacrylate elastomer for stress sensors with recyclability, reprocessability, remoldability, and hydrophobicity

Abstract

Fluorinated copolymers typically exhibit exceptional chemical inertness and interesting surface properties. However, the failure to further enhance the mechanical properties of copolymers, particularly their elasticity and resilience, is a significant constraint on their practical application due to the lack of cross-link sites. Here, we synthesize a series of fluorinated copolymers containing various contents of the aldehyde group via ternary emulsion copolymerization. Then, fluorinated elastomers are prepared by forming an imine-based network with a crosslinker. As a result, the tensile strength of the material is adjustable from 2.12 MPa to 9.26 MPa, while the water contact angle is adjustable from 91.3° to 112.6°, which greatly expands the scope of application of fluorinated material. On the other hand, the imine-based network established performs as a biomass dynamic cross-link network, and the dynamic nature of materials is studied. The elastomer is verified as a reprocessing, remoldable, and recyclable material, which meets the current idea of sustainable development. After the introduction of an ionic conducting liquid, the potential application of the ionic conducting elastomer in sensing is demonstrated through stress sensing testing. This functionalized fluorinated elastomers, which can be easily prepared by cross-linking, are important for promoting the development of fluorinated elastic materials.