Issue 48, 2019

An integrated self-healable and robust conductive hydrogel for dynamically self-adhesive and highly conformable electronic skin

Abstract

Mimicking the mechanical and sensory properties of human skin to develop a highly conformable electronic skin integrated with robust, self-healable, and ultra-sensitive properties is promising but still a great challenge. In this work, we report a novel dynamic self-adhesive and self-healable conductive hydrogel material that is applicable to highly conformal and ultrasensitive electronic skin devices. In the obtained gel system, the incorporated tannic acid coated cellulose nanocrystals (TA@CNCs) act as dynamic reinforcing bridges in the dual cross-linked gel network that are mediated by reversible hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions, allowing a unique combination of superior mechanical performance (strain >700%) and reliable autonomous self-healing capability (HE >90%). The formation of conductive polyaniline (PANI) network in the obtained TC-Gel leads to both high conductivity (0.13 S cm−1) and high sensitivity (GF = 11.2), which are advantageous for the real-time detection of large human motions, tiny muscle movements, and physiological signals. Notably, the TC-Gel exhibits the dynamic self-adhesive performance that integrates both strong adhesion (∼440 N m−1) and easy detachment in water for 3 min. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate that this unique self-adhesive strategy is able to increase interface interlocking and conformal contact between the TC-Gel based sensor and dynamic biological surface, contributing to the high sensory performance with a low noise level and negligible baseline fluctuation. We envisage that this work broadens the avenue for designing multifunctional cellulosic-based hydrogels to promote the application of integrated electronic skin with high sensory properties and comfortable user experiences.

Graphical abstract: An integrated self-healable and robust conductive hydrogel for dynamically self-adhesive and highly conformable electronic skin

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
07 Oct 2019
Accepted
07 Nov 2019
First published
09 Nov 2019

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2019,7, 15208-15218

An integrated self-healable and robust conductive hydrogel for dynamically self-adhesive and highly conformable electronic skin

C. Shao, L. Meng, C. Cui and J. Yang, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2019, 7, 15208 DOI: 10.1039/C9TC05467G

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