Ga Based Particles, Alloys and Composites: Fabrication and Applications

Abstract

Liquid metal (LM) materials, including pure gallium (Ga) LM, eutectic alloys and their composites with organic polymers and inorganic nanoparticles, are cutting-edge functional materials owing to their outstanding electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, extraordinary mechanical compliance, deformability and excellent biocompatibility. The unique properties of LM-based materials at room temperatures can overcome the drawbacks of the conventional electronic devices, particularly high thermal, electrical conductivities and their fluidic property, which would open tremendous opportunities for the fundamental research and practical applications of stretchable and wearable electronic devices. Therefore, research interest has been increasingly devoted to the fabrication methodologies of LM nanoparticles and their functional composites. In this review, we intend to present an overview of the state-of-art protocols for the synthesis of Ga-based materials, to introduce their potential applications in the fields ranging from wearable electronics, energy storage batteries and energy harvesting devices to bio-applications, and to discuss challenges and opportunities in future studies.

SANS Studies of the Gallium–Indium Alloy Structure within Regular Nanopores

“…Eutectic metallic alloys may be used in numerous applications from soft robotics, wearable electronics, bio-devices, and thermal interfaces to self-healing superconductors [3][4][5][6][7][8]. Among these, gallium-based alloys are considered the most suitable nanomaterials due to their stable electrical properties and non-toxicity.…”

A review on thermal and electrical behaviours of liquid metal-based polymer composites

“…15 As contrast, gallium and its alloys, such as eutectic gallium indium eutectic (EGaIn) and gallium indium tin alloy (GaInSn) have become the most extensively studied LM materials. 16,17 Therefore, the LMs discussed in this paper refer to Ga-based LMs without special explanation. In the past decade, LMs have been widely studied in many fields, such as electronic skin, [18][19][20] 3D printing, [21][22][23] soft robotics, [24][25][26][27] and thermal management.…”

Interfacial interaction-induced super-wettability of gallium-based liquid metals: a review

“…For example, Ga-based eutectic alloys such as eutectic gallium–indium–tin alloys (galinstan or EGaInSn, 68.5 wt% Ga, 21.5 wt% In and 10.0 wt% Sn) and gallium–indium alloys (EGaIn, 78.6 wt% Ga and 21.4 wt% In) have been developed. 8 The melting point of LMs can be adjusted below room temperature by varying their composition. 9 GLMs can flow and deform freely at room temperature.…”