Enhanced mechanical and electrical properties of starch-based hydrogels incorporating polyacrylic acid and MXene for advanced wearable sensors in sign language recognition

Abstract

Traditional starch-based hydrogels often lack the mechanical robustness and electrical conductivity required for strain sensing applications. In this study, a conductive organohydrogel was developed by blending starch and MXene with polyacrylic acid (PAA). The resulting PAA/starch/MXene organohydrogel exhibits exceptional mechanical strength, high electrical conductivity, robust adhesion, and resilience to low temperatures. Strain sensors based on this innovative material demonstrate remarkable characteristics, including high sensitivity (maximum GF = 14.19), rapid response time (approximately 160 ms), a wide sensing range (exceeding 800%), and excellent cycling stability. Notably, these sensors remain efficient even at frigid temperatures as low as −30 °C. Furthermore, these sensors find practical application in sign language translation, achieving an impressive recognition rate of up to 100% for complex sentences. When integrated into a sensor array, they enable precise assessment of load magnitude and distribution. Consequently, this research introduces an innovative strategy for fabricating highly efficient conductive hydrogels, holding significant promise for diverse applications in the realm of flexible electronic devices, and promoting sustainable advancements in the field of wearable electronics.