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Duan L, Zhou T, Zhao X, Mu W, Khampheng B, Yang P, Chi S, Yang H, Liu Q. Directly Printable Flexible Optoelectronics through Surface Atomic Modification of Liquid Metals at Room Temperature. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:42851-42861. [PMID: 39143704 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c06998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Flexible optoelectronics have fully demonstrated their transformative roles in various fields, but their fabrication and application have been limited by complex processes. Liquid metals (LMs) are promising to be ideal raw materials for making flexible optoelectronics due to their extraordinary fluidity and printability. Herein, we propose a painting-modifying strategy based on solution processability for directly printing out fluorescent flexible optoelectronics from LMs via surface modification. The LMs of eGaIn, which were obtained by the mixing of gallium with indium metal spheres, were used as ink to paint high-finesse patterns on flexible substrates. Through introducing surface modification of LMs, the gallium atom on the surface of the LMs was directly transformed into the composite fluorescent functional layers of GaO(OH) and GaN after being modified with an ammonia aqueous solution. Owing to painting, this strategy is not limited by any curved surfaces, shapes, or facilities and has excellent adaptability. Particularly, the fluorescent layers were obtained through a spontaneous, instantaneous, and solution-processable process that is environmentally friendly, easy to administrate, recyclable, and adjustable. The present finding breaks through the limitations of LMs in making flexible optoelectronics and provides strategies for addressing severe challenges facing existing materials and flexible optoelectronics. This method is expected to be very useful for fabricating flexible lights, transformable displays, intelligent anticounterfeiting devices, skin-inspired optoelectronics, and chameleon-biomimetic soft robots in the coming time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangfei Duan
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technique & Preparation for Renewable Energy Materials, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Tong Zhou
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Materials & Technology, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technique & Preparation for Renewable Energy Materials, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Weihua Mu
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technique & Preparation for Renewable Energy Materials, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Boudmyxay Khampheng
- Research and Academic Services Division, Faculty of Education, National University of Laos, Vientiane 7322, Laos
| | - Peizhi Yang
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technique & Preparation for Renewable Energy Materials, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Shaoming Chi
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technique & Preparation for Renewable Energy Materials, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Huiqin Yang
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Advanced Technique & Preparation for Renewable Energy Materials, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Qingju Liu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Materials & Technology, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
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Ju Z, Zhang B, Zheng T, Marschilok AC, Takeuchi ES, Takeuchi KJ, Yu G. Assembled MXene-Liquid Metal Cages on Silicon Microparticles as Self-Healing Battery Anodes. NANO LETTERS 2024; 24:6610-6616. [PMID: 38780077 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c01170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
In pursuit of higher energy density in lithium-ion batteries, silicon (Si) has been recognized as a promising candidate to replace commercial graphite due to its high theoretical capacity. However, the pulverization issue of Si microparticles during lithiation/delithiation results in electrical contact loss and increased side reactions, significantly limiting its practical applications. Herein, we propose to utilize liquid metal (LM) particles as the bridging agent, which assemble conductive MXene (Ti3C2Tx) sheets via coordination chemistry, forming cage-like structures encapsulating mSi particles as self-healing high-energy anodes. Due to the integration of robust Ti3C2Tx sheets and deformable LM particles as conductive buffering cages, simultaneously high-rate capability and cyclability can be realized. Post-mortem analysis revealed the cage structural integrity and the maintained electrical percolating network after cycling. This work introduces an effective approach to accommodate structural change via a resilient encapsulating cage and offers useful interface design considerations for versatile battery electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Ju
- Materials Science and Engineering Program and Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Bowen Zhang
- Materials Science and Engineering Program and Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Tianrui Zheng
- Materials Science and Engineering Program and Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Amy C Marschilok
- Institute of Energy: Sustainability, Environment, and Equity, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Interdisciplinary Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Esther S Takeuchi
- Institute of Energy: Sustainability, Environment, and Equity, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Interdisciplinary Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Kenneth J Takeuchi
- Institute of Energy: Sustainability, Environment, and Equity, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- Interdisciplinary Science Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Guihua Yu
- Materials Science and Engineering Program and Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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Handschuh-Wang S, Wang T, Zhang Z, Liu F, Han P, Liu X. Long-Term Corrosion of Eutectic Gallium, Indium, and Tin (EGaInSn) Interfacing with Diamond. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:2683. [PMID: 38893946 PMCID: PMC11174033 DOI: 10.3390/ma17112683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Thermal transport is of grave importance in many high-value applications. Heat dissipation can be improved by utilizing liquid metals as thermal interface materials. Yet, liquid metals exhibit corrosivity towards many metals used for heat sinks, such as aluminum, and other electrical devices (i.e., copper). The compatibility of the liquid metal with the heat sink or device material as well as its long-term stability are important performance variables for thermal management systems. Herein, the compatibility of the liquid metal Galinstan, a eutectic alloy of gallium, indium, and tin, with diamond coatings and the stability of the liquid metal in this environment are scrutinized. The liquid metal did not penetrate the diamond coating nor corrode it. However, the liquid metal solidified with the progression of time, starting from the second year. After 4 years of aging, the liquid metal on all samples solidified, which cannot be explained by the dissolution of aluminum from the titanium alloy. In contrast, the solidification arose from oxidation by oxygen, followed by hydrolysis to GaOOH due to the humidity in the air. The hydrolysis led to dealloying, where In and Sn remained an alloy while Ga separated as GaOOH. This hydrolysis has implications for many devices based on gallium alloys and should be considered during the design phase of liquid metal-enabled products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Handschuh-Wang
- College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China; (Z.Z.); (F.L.); (X.L.)
| | - Tao Wang
- Advanced Materials Group Co., Ltd., Fusionopolis Link #06-07, Nexus One-North, Singapore 138543, Singapore;
- Advanced Energy Storage Technology Center, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zongyan Zhang
- College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China; (Z.Z.); (F.L.); (X.L.)
| | - Fucheng Liu
- College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China; (Z.Z.); (F.L.); (X.L.)
| | - Peigang Han
- College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China; (Z.Z.); (F.L.); (X.L.)
| | - Xiaorui Liu
- College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China; (Z.Z.); (F.L.); (X.L.)
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Lu G, Ni E, Jiang Y, Wu W, Li H. Room-Temperature Liquid Metals for Flexible Electronic Devices. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2304147. [PMID: 37875665 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Room-temperature gallium-based liquid metals (RT-GaLMs) have garnered significant interest recently owing to their extraordinary combination of fluidity, conductivity, stretchability, self-healing performance, and biocompatibility. They are ideal materials for the manufacture of flexible electronics. By changing the composition and oxidation of RT-GaLMs, physicochemical characteristics of the liquid metal can be adjusted, especially the regulation of rheological, wetting, and adhesion properties. This review highlights the advancements in the liquid metals used in flexible electronics. Meanwhile related characteristics of RT-GaLMs and underlying principles governing their processing and applications for flexible electronics are elucidated. Finally, the diverse applications of RT-GaLMs in self-healing circuits, flexible sensors, energy harvesting devices, and epidermal electronics, are explored. Additionally, the challenges hindering the progress of RT-GaLMs are discussed, while proposing future research directions and potential applications in this emerging field. By presenting a concise and critical analysis, this paper contributes to the advancement of RT-GaLMs as an advanced material applicable for the new generation of flexible electronics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixuan Lu
- Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250061, China
| | - Erli Ni
- The Institute for Advanced Studies of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China
| | - Yanyan Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250061, China
| | - Weikang Wu
- Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250061, China
| | - Hui Li
- Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250061, China
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Duan L, Zhou T, Mu W, Deng Z, Guo M, Wang Q, Yang H, Liu J. Liquid-Metal Molecular Scissors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:4212-4221. [PMID: 38215272 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c15841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Molecules are the smallest units of matter that can exist independently, relatively stable, maintaining their physical and chemical activities. The key factors that dominate the structures and properties of molecules include atomic species, alignment commands, and chemical bonds. Herein, we reported a generalized effect in which liquid metals can directly cut off oxygen-containing groups in molecular matter at room temperature, allowing the remaining groups to recombine to form functional materials. Thus, we propose basic liquid-metal scissors for molecular directional clipping and functional transformations. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate the capabilities of liquid-metal scissors and reveal that the gallium on the surface of liquid metals directly extracts oxygen atoms from H2O or CH3OH molecules to form oxides. After clipping, the remaining hydrogen atoms from the H2O molecules recombine to form H2, while the remaining fragments of CH3OH produce H2, carbon materials, and carboxylates. This finding refreshes our basic understanding of chemistry and should lead to the development of straightforward molecular weaving techniques, which can help to overcome the limitations of molecular substances with single purposes. It also opens a universal route for realizing future innovations in molecular chemical engineering, life sciences, energy and environment research, and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangfei Duan
- School of Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Materials & Technology, International Joint Research Center for Optoelectronic and Energy Materials, School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Tong Zhou
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Materials & Technology, International Joint Research Center for Optoelectronic and Energy Materials, School of Materials and Energy, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Weihua Mu
- School of Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Zhongshan Deng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Minghui Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Qin Wang
- School of Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Huiqin Yang
- School of Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Jing Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics and Beijing Key Laboratory of Cryo-Biomedical Engineering, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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He B, Wang P, Xue S, Liu S, Ye Q, Zhou F, Liu W. Self-healing and durable antifouling zwitterionic hydrogels based on functionalized liquid metal microgels. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 653:463-471. [PMID: 37725876 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.09.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are a promising new class of antifouling materials. But their utility is constrained by low mechanical strength and unsatisfactory antifouling performance over the long term. Herein, we successfully prepared zwitterionic polymer PEIS cross-linked gallium-based liquid metal microgels-based (PEIS-Gel@PMPC-GLM) hydrogels via UV-curing and amidation reaction. The as-prepared hydrogels showed preferable mechanical properties and superior hydrophilicity to the original hydrogels. The PEIS-Gel@PMPC-GLM hydrogels could prevent the adhesion of more than 90 % of microalgae and nearly 100 % of bacteria in a short-term antifouling test. PEIS-Gel@PMPC-GLM hydrogels also performed exceptionally well in the high concentration antibacterial test and the long-term antifouling test (remove more than 90 % bacteria and 80 % microalgae). In addition to releasing a high concentration of gallium ions, as shown by the ICP-OES test, PEIS-Gel@PMPC-GLM hydrogels also exhibitedexcellent lubrication performance, as demonstrated by the friction test (coefficient of friction as low as 0.023). Therefore, the antifouling effect of gallium ions combined with the strong hydration ability of the surfaces endowed the hydrogels remarkable antibacterial and antifouling properties. As a result of the exposed gallium atoms inducing further crosslinking of residual vinyl monomer in hydrogels, PEIS-Gel@PMPC-GLM hydrogels revealed certain self-healing performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoluo He
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Center of Advanced Lubrication and Seal Materials, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China
| | - Peng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Center of Advanced Lubrication and Seal Materials, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China
| | - Shenghua Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Center of Advanced Lubrication and Seal Materials, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China
| | - Shujuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Center of Advanced Lubrication and Seal Materials, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China
| | - Qian Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Center of Advanced Lubrication and Seal Materials, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China.
| | - Feng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Center of Advanced Lubrication and Seal Materials, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
| | - Weimin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, Center of Advanced Lubrication and Seal Materials, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
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Ghasemian MB, Wang Y, Allioux FM, Zavabeti A, Kalantar-Zadeh K. Coating of gallium-based liquid metal particles with molybdenum oxide and oxysulfide for electronic band structure modulation. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:5891-5898. [PMID: 36876581 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr06733a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Liquid metal (LM) droplets are now used in many applications including catalysis, sensing, and flexible electronics. Consequently, the introduction of methods for on-demand alternating electronic properties of LMs is necessary. The active surface of LMs provides a unique environment for spontaneous chemical reactions that enable the formation of thin layers of functional materials for such modulations. Here, we showed the deposition of n-type MoOx and MoOxSy semiconductors on the surface of EGaIn LM droplets under mechanical agitation to successfully modulate their electronic structures. The "liquid solution"-"liquid metal" interaction resulted in the formation of oxide and oxysulfide layers on the surface of LM droplets. The comprehensive study of electronic and optical properties revealed a decrease in the band gap of the droplets after surface decoration with MoOx and MoOxSy, leading to deeper n-type doping of the materials. This method provides a facile procedure for engineering the electronic band structure of LM-based composites when they are necessary for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad B Ghasemian
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yifang Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Francois-Marie Allioux
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ali Zavabeti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
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