Ultra-soft thermal self-healing liquid-metal-foamed composite with high thermal conductivity

Liquid-metal-foamed elastomer composites have great potential in applications of heat dissipation and wearable motion and strain monitoring. However, the existing liquid-metal-foamed elastomer composites are based on thermosetting materials, which cannot be repaired after damage. In this study, we propose a thermal self-healing liquid-metal-foamed composite (LMF Composite) with high thermal conductivity and high flexibility. The material is prepared by the method of negative pressure injection, characterizing with the advantages of thermal self-healing, high thermal conductivity (8.9W m−1K−1, isotropic material without strain) and high softness (Young's modulus ≤45 kPa). We then studied the prepared material's microstructure and tested its mechanical properties. We also tested the material's thermal self-healing characteristics and its heat dissipation capability We used a heat gun to apply heat to the damaged parts of the LMF composite. The healed LMF composite that had been cut off can still be stretched up to 360% and its thermal conductivity is 6.8 Wm−1K−1. Another healed LMF composite that had been cut an incision on the surface can be stretched up to 605% and its thermal conductivity is 8.9 Wm−1K−1. Experimental results have proven that our prepared LMF Composite has great potential in practical applications with high economic efficiency.