journal article·2026-07Open access

A Stretchable, Mechanically‐Interlocked Polyrotaxane Hydrogel for Wearable Motion and Electrophysiological Monitoring

Hao‐Zheng Huang, Yu‐Tao Zheng, Feng Chen, Jing‐Yi Li, Wen‐Hui Zhang, Liang Ding, Zhegang Huang, Wei Jiang, Li‐Ping Huang, Xing‐Can Shen

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 37

Abstract

ABSTRACT Many conductive hydrogels have been developed for wearable electronics; however, it remains a challenge to achieve simultaneous mechanical robustness, stable electrical properties, and tissue–compliant interfaces. Herein, we report a mechanically interlocked polyrotaxane hydrogel prepared via one‐pot photopolymerization. The designed network integrates the energy‐dissipative “pulley effect” of sliding macrocycles with a stable covalent network. The resulting hydrogel exhibits skin‐like softness (modulus ∼8.5 kPa), ultrahigh stretchability (2450%), strong adhesion, and high ionic conductivity (7.46 mS/cm). It functions as a durable strain sensor with a broad sensing range and stable cyclic performance over 10 000 cycles. As an epidermal electrode, it acquires high‑fidelity electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyogram (EMG) signals with a superior signal‑to‑noise ratio (>42 dB), even during motion, and maintains high signal quality over 24 h. Furthermore, a wearable five‑sensor array demonstrates its capability for real‑time gesture recognition and wireless robotic control. This work provides a robust and multifunctional material platform for advanced wearable bioelectronics.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Dielectric materials and actuators · Conducting polymers and applications

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

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Guangxi Normal University Guilin China

Department of Chemistry Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China

PCFM and LIFM Lab School of Chemistry Sun Yat‐sen University Guangzhou China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province · Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province

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