Phase‐Separated Dielectric Gels Based on Christiansen Effect

Abstract

Phase separation is a trivial phenomenon but a mature strategy in materials science. The flexible materials are provided toughness and strength by phase separation, yet there are few applications in optics and electronics industry. A novel phase‐separated dielectric gel (PSDG) with a strong Christiansen effect is prepared via radical polymerization using hydroxyethyl methacrylate as a monomer, 4‐cyano‐4′‐pentylbiphenyl and tributyl citrate as mixed solvents, and polyethylene glycol as a softener. The solvent ratios and ambient conditions can efficiently change the color of PSDG which makes it strongly selective for the wavelength of transmitted light. Besides, it has a high dielectric constant (10 at 1 kHz), sensitively responding to the electric field. The phase separation degree of PSDG varies with applied electric field, which will induce its transmittance alteration accordingly. The current field sensitive PSDG provides a novel idea for “smart windows”. Additionally, varying the size and shape of the electrodes can precisely control the phase separation in PSDG and also enables the function of free writing on flexible materials. Therefore, the designed PSDG has great application potential for flexible touch and interesting interactions.

Two‐dimensional Cu Plates with Steady Fluid Fields for High‐rate Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia and Efficient Zn‐Nitrate Batteries

“…And the interfering anions impact on the eNO 3 À RR of the Cu plates was investigated by adding the common CO 3 2À (0.01 M in 0.5 M KNO 3 ), PO 4 3À (0.01 M in 0.5 M KNO 3 ), SO 4 2À (0.01 M in 0.5 M KNO 3 ), and their mixture (individually 0.005 M in 0.5 M KNO 3 ) in the catholyte. [26] The Cu plates show good resistance to all the tested interference anions and achieve ~100 % selectivity to convert NO 3 À into ammonia (Figure S16). Those together verify the advantage of plate-like structure.…”

Two‐dimensional Cu Plates with Steady Fluid Fields for High‐rate Nitrate Electroreduction to Ammonia and Efficient Zn‐Nitrate Batteries

“…Cu plates was investigated by adding the common CO 3 2À (0.01 M in 0.5 M KNO 3 ), PO 4 3À (0.01 M in 0.5 M KNO 3 ), SO 4 2À (0.01 M in 0.5 M KNO 3 ), and their mixture (individually 0.005 M in 0.5 M KNO 3 ) in the catholyte. [26] The Cu plates show good resistance to all the tested interference anions and achieve ~100 % selectivity to convert NO 3 À into ammonia (Figure S16). Those together verify the advantage of plate-like structure.…”

Dielectric Gels with Microphase Separation for Wide‐Range and Self‐Damping Pressure Sensing

“…Among various flexible pressure sensing materials, dielectric gels stand out due to their high-precision pressure sensing, low detection limit, customizable modulus, transparency, and simple preparation. [14][15][16] Typical dielectric gels are constructed by three-dimensional polymer networks and abundant dielectric solvents. [14] Thus, their damping performance is typically inadequate since the fully swollen polymer networks lacking in internal friction, making them sensitive to noises and incapable of precisely sensing pressure on vibrated substrates.…”