Wenhao Xu, Faraz A. Burni and Srinivasa R. Raghavan*,
{"title":"Reversibly Sticking Metals and Graphite to Hydrogels and Tissues","authors":"Wenhao Xu, Faraz A. Burni and Srinivasa R. Raghavan*, ","doi":"10.1021/acscentsci.3c01593","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p >We have discovered that hard, electrical conductors (e.g., metals or graphite) can be adhered to soft, aqueous materials (e.g., hydrogels, fruit, or animal tissue) without the use of an adhesive. The adhesion is induced by a low DC electric field. As an example, when 5 V DC is applied to graphite slabs spanning a tall cylindrical gel of acrylamide (AAm), a strong adhesion develops between the anode (+) and the gel in about 3 min. This adhesion endures after the field is removed, and we term it as <i>hard–soft electroadhesion</i> or <b>EA</b><sup>[HS]</sup>. Depending on the material, adhesion occurs at the anode (+), cathode (−), or both electrodes. In many cases, <b>EA</b><sup>[HS]</sup> can be reversed by reapplying the field with reversed polarity. Adhesion via <b>EA</b><sup>[HS]</sup> to AAm gels follows the electrochemical series: e.g., it occurs with copper, lead, and tin but not nickel, iron, or zinc. We show that <b>EA</b><sup>[HS]</sup> arises via electrochemical reactions that generate chemical bonds between the electrode and the polymers in the gel. <b>EA</b><sup>[HS]</sup> can create new hybrid materials, thus enabling applications in robotics, energy storage, and biomedical implants. Interestingly, <b>EA</b><sup>[HS]</sup> can even be achieved underwater, where typical adhesives cannot be used.</p><p >A DC electric field can be used to stick metals or graphite to soft materials including gels, animal tissues, fruits, and vegetables. Such electroadhesion is reversible and even works underwater.</p>","PeriodicalId":10,"journal":{"name":"ACS Central Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":12.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/epdf/10.1021/acscentsci.3c01593","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"ACS Central Science","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acscentsci.3c01593","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
We have discovered that hard, electrical conductors (e.g., metals or graphite) can be adhered to soft, aqueous materials (e.g., hydrogels, fruit, or animal tissue) without the use of an adhesive. The adhesion is induced by a low DC electric field. As an example, when 5 V DC is applied to graphite slabs spanning a tall cylindrical gel of acrylamide (AAm), a strong adhesion develops between the anode (+) and the gel in about 3 min. This adhesion endures after the field is removed, and we term it as hard–soft electroadhesion or EA[HS]. Depending on the material, adhesion occurs at the anode (+), cathode (−), or both electrodes. In many cases, EA[HS] can be reversed by reapplying the field with reversed polarity. Adhesion via EA[HS] to AAm gels follows the electrochemical series: e.g., it occurs with copper, lead, and tin but not nickel, iron, or zinc. We show that EA[HS] arises via electrochemical reactions that generate chemical bonds between the electrode and the polymers in the gel. EA[HS] can create new hybrid materials, thus enabling applications in robotics, energy storage, and biomedical implants. Interestingly, EA[HS] can even be achieved underwater, where typical adhesives cannot be used.
A DC electric field can be used to stick metals or graphite to soft materials including gels, animal tissues, fruits, and vegetables. Such electroadhesion is reversible and even works underwater.
期刊介绍:
ACS Central Science publishes significant primary reports on research in chemistry and allied fields where chemical approaches are pivotal. As the first fully open-access journal by the American Chemical Society, it covers compelling and important contributions to the broad chemistry and scientific community. "Central science," a term popularized nearly 40 years ago, emphasizes chemistry's central role in connecting physical and life sciences, and fundamental sciences with applied disciplines like medicine and engineering. The journal focuses on exceptional quality articles, addressing advances in fundamental chemistry and interdisciplinary research.