Self-propelled ion gel at air-water interface

We report on a self-propelled gel using ionic liquid as a new type of self-propellant that generates a powerful and durable motion at an air-water interface. The gel is composed of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMIM-TFSI) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-co-HFP)). A long rectangular ion gel piece placed on the interface shows rapid rotation motion with maximum frequency close to 10 Hz, corresponding to the velocity over 300 mms−1 at an outmost end of the piece. The rotation continues for ca. 102 s, followed by a reciprocating motion (<~103 s) and a nonlinear motion in long-time observations (>~103 s). The behaviours can be explained by the model considering elution of EMIM-TFSI to the air-water interface, rapid dissolution into water, and slow diffusion in an inhomogeneous polymer gel network. Because the self-propellants are promptly removed from the interface by dissolution, durable self-propelled motions are observed also at limited interface areas close in size to the gel pieces. A variety of motions are induced in such systems where the degree of freedom in motion is limited. As the ion gel possesses formability and processability, it is also advantageous for practical applications. We demonstrate that the gel does work as an engine.