Abstract

The emergence of dielectric elastomers (DEs) is significant for various electric applications. However, limited by expensive raw materials and complex preparation methods, existing DEs cannot combine functionality, especially self-healing ability, and commercial feasibility. Here we report the facile synthesis of autonomous self-healable dielectric elastomers (ASH-DEs) assembled from thioctic acid (TA), 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) and silicon oil. Particularly, via the covalent bonds and multiple H-bonds, this process ingeniously enabled the spontaneous ring-opening polymerization of polar monomer TA in non-polar silicon based DEs at room temperature without solvent to form stable polyTA for the first time. The obtained ASH-DEs exhibits widely tunable dielectric and mechanical properties, high transparency, room-termperature self-healing capability, and strain sensitivity at low electric fields. The applications of ASH-DEs as muscle-like highly durable and sensitive large-strain actuators are further certified, proving the elastomer's huge potential in the emerging field of flexible electronics and devices.

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