Innovative eutectogels: Designs, principles, and applications

Eutectogels, an innovative class of gel materials, have attracted considerable attention owing to their exceptional physicochemical properties, including remarkable thermal stability, environmental friendliness, and high ionic conductivity. These unique attributes position eutectogels as promising candidates for a myriad of applications, spanning flexible electronics, biomedicine, environmental engineering, and beyond. This comprehensive review provides a thorough analysis of the recent advancements in eutectogels, emphasizing their preparation strategies, structural characteristics, and multifaceted applications. By systematically categorizing eutectogels according to their formation mechanisms, namely direct polymer dispersion in deep eutectic solvent (DES), in-situ polymerization within DES, and in-situ self-assembly of low-molecular-weight gelators in DES, this review meticulously elucidated the intricate interplay between their microstructures and macroscopic properties. Moreover, a critical assessment of the advantages and limitations inherent to each eutectogel category is provided, shedding light on the profound influence of gelator type on material properties. Building upon these insights, the review identifies the key challenges currently impeding the widespread adoption of eutectogels and proposes strategic research directions to overcome these obstacles and accelerate their development. This review serves as a valuable guide for researchers in exploring novel eutectogels with advanced performance and paves the way for groundbreaking innovations in this rapidly evolving field.