journal article·2026-04Open access

Ultrasoft Yet Tough Multifunctional Organohydrogels Enabled by Molecular Chain Lubrication Strategy for Self‐Powered Wearable Electronics

Si Wang, Lin Hu, Mingbo Pu, Mingfeng Xu, Tao Zhou, Hanbing Rao, Xiong Li, Xiaoliang Ma, Gehong Su, Xiangang Luo

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 20

Abstract

ABSTRACT Flexible triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) underscore the promise of skin‑inspired hydrogels as intelligent materials for wearable electronics. However, overcoming the intrinsic trade‑off between stiffness and toughness while integrating multifunctionality into the hydrogels remains a great challenge. Here, we propose a multifunctional supramolecular organohydrogel (AQGL) via a molecular chain lubrication strategy, where glycerol (Gly)/water clusters act as dynamic lubricants to modulate polymer interactions and cross‑linking structure within the HAPAA/QCS/LiCl (AQL) gel network. This regulation endows the AQGL with remarkable mechanical characteristics, yielding an ultrahigh stretchability (5800%), ultralow Young's modulus (14.3 kPa), high toughness (11.77 MJ/m 3 ), and impressive fracture energy (75.96 kJ/m 2 ). Meanwhile, the AQGL further demonstrates multifunctionality including excellent optical transparency (∼95%), exceptional environmental durability against drying/freezing (−40°C), notable anti‐icing capability, distinguished antibacterial activity, high conductivity, and good self‐healing property. When employed as a TENG electrode, its intrinsic self‐adhesiveness ensures strong interfacial stability with triboelectric layer, enabling excellent electrical output and reliable performance in motion monitoring, handwriting recognition, and autonomous energy harvesting. This study provides a rational design strategy toward soft yet tough, and multifunctional organohydrogels, advancing the development of self‑powered epidermal electronics.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Hydrogels: synthesis, properties, applications · Polymer composites and self-healing

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

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Optical Field Manipulation Science and Technology Institute of Optics and Electronics Chinese Academy of Sciences Chengdu China

College of Science Sichuan Agricultural University Ya'an China

College of Materials Sciences and Opto‐Electronic Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China

Research Center on Vector Optical Fields Institute of Optics and Electronics Chinese Academy of Sciences Chengdu China

State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering of China Polymer Research Institute Sichuan University Chengdu China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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