Construction of Stretchable, Tough and Damped Eutectogel Resistant to −100 °C using 2-Methyl-1,3-Propanediol Based Deep Eutectic Solvent

The freezing of the dispersion medium causes a huge deterioration in mechanical performance, conductivity, and optical properties of gel materials, limiting their functionality in low-temperature environments such as outer space, deep sea, and polar areas. Here, a deep eutectic solvent is developed using 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol as a hydrogen bond donor and choline chloride as a hydrogen bond acceptor, achieving remarkably low freezing temperature of −107.7 °C, while also exhibiting transparency, stability, and ionic conductive capabilities across a broad temperature range. Utilizing this solvent as a dispersion medium, microphase-separated eutectogels are prepared via the copolymerization of acrylamide and acrylic acid. Retaining its stretchability, high toughness, and energy dissipation capability at −100 °C, the gel thereby serves as an exceptional materials for impact resistance, vibration damping, and temperature sensing. Finally, the development of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol based solvent and gel materials is expected to offer a new solution for cryo-science and antifreeze applications.