Nanomaterials Field
Frontier Molecules Group

Our group shares a common chemistry platform for creating stimuli-responsive organic molecular materials.

Group Leader: Takashi Nakanishi

Development of alkyl–π liquid/gel-based flexible electret vibration sensors for soft electronics applications

Current Topics

To utilize alkyl–π liquids in free-deformable devices attached to the human body, tuning the elastic modulus (G') is essential. We developed a method to control the G' of alkyl–π liquids through gelation. Adding 1 wt% of a low-molecular-weight gelator produced alkyl–π gels, which increased G' by up to seven orders of magnitude while retaining the intrinsic optoelectronic characteristics of the liquids. Notably, the alkyl–π gels demonstrated a 23% higher charge retention capacity than the liquids and exhibited an 83% improvement in output voltage as vibration sensors. Therefore, alkyl–π gel electrets can perform better in free-deformable and wearable vibration sensor devices.
Fig. 1. Alkyl-π liquid and gel electrets and their vibration sensor’s outputs.

Outline of Research

The most crucial aspect of developing soft electronics technology is creating functional soft materials that support it. Sensors and energy-harvesting devices designed to function when attached to the human body have also been actively developed. We develop alkyl–π liquids with molecular structures by incorporating bulky yet flexible branched alkyl chains into the π-conjugated sites. Alkyl–π liquids have garnered attention for their unique properties, including fluidity, free deformability, and the ability to dissolve other molecules and nanomaterials. In particular, the optoelectronic characteristics and fluidity of alkyl–π liquids offer significant advantages in shape adaptability when utilized in flexible devices. We focus on the electretization of alkyl–π liquids or their gels and the development of free-deformable vibration sensors.

References

  1. A. Tateyama, K. Nagura, M. Yamanaka, T. Nakanishi, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 63, e202402874 (2024). DOI: 10.1002/anie.202402874
  2. R. K. Gupta, M. Yoshida, A. Saeki, Z. Guo, T. Nakanishi, Mater. Horiz. 10, 3458 (2023). DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00485f

Group members

  • Profile image
    Takashi Nakanishi
    ・Group Leader
  • Profile image
    Shinsuke Ishihara
    ・Principal Researcher
  • Profile image
    Kazuhiko Nagura
    ・Researcher
  • Profile image
    Mishio Matsumoto
    ・Researcher
  • Profile image
    Mizuki Tenjimbayashi
    ・Independent Researcher

Activities

Links

 

Quantum Materials Field Nanomaterials Field Independent Researcher Satellite Principal Investigator