Versatile chewed gum composites with liquid metal for strain sensing, electromagnetic interference shielding and flexible electronics

Abstract

Environmental pollution and resource waste resulting from chewed gum pose ecological concerns towards the world. However, traditional disposal approaches barely meet the requirements of low-carbon and sustainable development. High-value utilization of chewed gum is of great importance to the sustainability of human beings. Herein, versatile chewed gum/liquid metal (LM)-based flexible electronics were constructed by the stretch-knead-roller coating method. Due to strong interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding and ion chelation), the LM micro/nano droplets were encapsulated in chewed gum without leakage. Chewed gum filled with the LM droplets exhibited firm adhesion to various substrates and could serve as self-healing flexible electronics and strain sensors. In addition, LM was wrapped on the gum surface by the roller coating method, and this chewed gum composite with superior conductivity (3.2 × 10⁶ S m⁻¹) and tuneable flexibility and rigidity could be knitted into smart fabrics with electro-thermal effect and electromagnetic interference-shielding performance. Therefore, the combination of LM and chewed gum not only addresses the trouble of waste disposal by turning it into a high-value product but also offers a ponderable solution for the practical application of LM.