Polymer-constrained excimer enables flexible and self-healable optoelectronic elastomer for mechanical sensor

Abstract

Abstract The development of high-performance, flexible, and self-healable optoelectronic materials is pivotal for advancing next-generation wearable technologies. In this study, we introduce nanoscale naphthyl-naphthyl microphase separation into a polyisoprene matrix, endowing olefin copolymers with exceptional mechanical properties, high flexibility, and intrinsic self-healing capabilities at room temperature without external stimuli. Notably, by employing a “polymer-constrained excimer” strategy, these copolymers exhibit remarkable photoluminescent properties, achieving an ultra-high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY > 98%) through the formation of naphthyl-naphthyl excimers. Experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that under the encapsulation of flexible cis -1,4-polyisoprene segments, nanoscale naphthyl aggregates form stable excimers upon UV stimulation, resulting in extraordinary fluorescence quantum efficiency. Additionally, the nanoscale aggregation of naphthyls imparts superior electret performance to these copolymers, making them ideal for opto-electro-mechanical sensors for the robotic hand and other devices.