journal article·2024-11Open access

Scalable Layered Heterogeneous Hydrogel Fibers with Strain‐Induced Crystallization for Tough, Resilient, and Highly Conductive Soft Bioelectronics

Pengle Cao, Yu Wang, Jian Yang, Shichao Niu, Xinglong Pan, Wanheng Lu, Luhong Li, Yiming Xu, Jiabin Cui, Ghim Wei Ho, Xiao‐Qiao Wang

Advanced Materials· Volume 36· Issue 48

Abstract

Abstract The advancement of soft bioelectronics hinges critically on the electromechanical properties of hydrogels. Despite ongoing research into diverse material and structural strategies to enhance these properties, producing hydrogels that are simultaneously tough, resilient, and highly conductive for long‐term, dynamic physiological monitoring remains a formidable challenge. Here, a strategy utilizing scalable layered heterogeneous hydrogel fibers (LHHFs) is introduced that enables synergistic electromechanical modulation of hydrogels. High toughness (1.4 MJ m−3) and resilience (over 92% recovery from 200% strain) of LHHFs are achieved through a damage‐free toughening mechanism that involves dense long‐chain entanglements and reversible strain‐induced crystallization of sodium polyacrylate. The unique symmetrical layered structure of LHHFs, featuring distinct electrical and mechanical functional layers, facilitates the mixing of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes to significantly enhance electrical conductivity (192.7 S m−1) without compromising toughness and resilience. Furthermore, high‐performance LHHF capacitive iontronic strain/pressure sensors and epidermal electrodes are developed, capable of accurately and stably capturing biomechanical and bioelectrical signals from the human body under long‐term, dynamic conditions. The LHHF offers a promising route for developing hydrogels with uniquely integrated electromechanical attributes, advancing practical wearable healthcare applications.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Advanced Materials and Mechanics · Conducting polymers and applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk College of Textile and Clothing Engineering Soochow University Suzhou 215123 P. R. China

Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of Education) Jilin University Changchun Jilin 130022 P. R. China

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering National University of Singapore 4 Engineering Drive 3 Singapore 117583 Singapore

PPM Institute of Functional Materials Poly Plastic Masterbatch (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. Suzhou 215144 P. R. China

State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD‐X) and Collaborative Innovation Centre of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Soochow University Suzhou 215123 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Jilin University · Foundation Research Project of Jiangsu Province · Natural Science Research of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China

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