Performance Comparison of Traditional, Nanopolymerized, and Entangled Belousov–Zhabotinsky Self-Oscillating Gels

Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) self-oscillating gels exhibit periodic volumetric swelling–deswelling, providing the basis for autonomous soft robots without external control. However, traditional BZ self-oscillating gels suffer from degradation and slow chemo–mechanical response. Here, three types of BZ self-oscillating gels were prepared by adjusting the monomer/crosslinker ratio and using N-isopropylacrylamide nanogels as crosslinker. Compared with traditional gels, the toughness of nanopolymerized and entangled gels was markedly improved and their response to the Ru (II)/Ru (III) alternation was accelerated. The three self-oscillating gels showed different periodic responses in a BZ reaction solution. Entangled gels, as a result of their greater spatial uniformity in energy dissipation and enhanced interconnection between mesopores, respectively, showed the longest lifetime and shortest chemo-mechanical oscillation delay. The synthesis of tougher and faster responding entangled gels expands the function and application of BZ self-oscillating gels.