Construction of Stretchable, Tough and Damped Eutectogel Resistant to −100 °C using 2‐Methyl‐1,3‐Propanediol Based Deep Eutectic Solvent
Yan Zhang, Xiaowei Chen, Wei Li, Baoyi Wang, Qian Zhang, Zhuo Zhao, Yafei Wang, Ying Guan, Yongjun Zhang
Abstract
Abstract The freezing of the dispersion medium causes a huge deterioration in mechanical performance, conductivity, and optical properties of gel materials, limiting their functionality in low‐temperature environments such as outer space, deep sea, and polar areas. Here, a deep eutectic solvent is developed using 2‐methyl‐1,3‐propanediol as a hydrogen bond donor and choline chloride as a hydrogen bond acceptor, achieving remarkably low freezing temperature of −107.7 °C, while also exhibiting transparency, stability, and ionic conductive capabilities across a broad temperature range. Utilizing this solvent as a dispersion medium, microphase‐separated eutectogels are prepared via the copolymerization of acrylamide and acrylic acid. Retaining its stretchability, high toughness, and energy dissipation capability at −100 °C, the gel thereby serves as an exceptional materials for impact resistance, vibration damping, and temperature sensing. Finally, the development of 2‐methyl‐1,3‐propanediol based solvent and gel materials is expected to offer a new solution for cryo‐science and antifreeze applications.