Ionic Conductive Cellulose-Based Hydrogels with Superior Long-Lasting Moisture and Antifreezing Features for Flexible Strain Sensor Applications

Biomacromolecules. 2024 Jan 2. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01011. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTNowadays, wearable devices derived from flexible conductive hydrogels have attracted enormous attention. Nevertheless, the utilization of conductive hydrogels in practical applications under extreme conditions remains a significant challenge. Herein, a series of inorganic salt-ion-enhanced conductive hydrogels (HPE-LiCl) consisting of hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl acrylate, lithium chloride, and ethylene glycol/water binary solvent were fabricated via a facile one-pot method. Apart from outstanding self-adhesion, high stretchability, and remarkable fatigue resistance, the HPE-LiCl hydrogels possessed especially excellent antifreezing and long-lasting moisture performances, which could maintain satisfactory flexibility and electric conductivity over extended periods of time, even in challenging conditions such as extremely low temperatures (as low as -40 °C) and high temperatures (as high as 80 °C). Consequently, the HPE-LiCl-based sensor could timely and accurately monitor various human motion signals even in adverse environments and after long-term storage. Hence, this work presents a facile strategy for the design of long-term reliable hydrogels as smart strain sensors, especially used in extreme environments.PMID:38164823 | DOI:10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01011
Source: Biomacromolecules - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Source Type: research