Binary-1D/2D nanomaterial-functionalization toward strong, stretchable, and anti-freezing electrically conductive organohydrogels for self-powered operation monitoring of robotic hand

Abstract

Machines and robots have become greatly significant in liberating human beings from heavy and repetitive physical work, which requires intelligent monitoring of their operation states. However, simultaneous realization of self-power, high mechanical strength, ultra-stretchability, and low-temperature tolerance for sensing devices remains challenging. Here, a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on anti-freezing, mechanically robust and electrically conductive organohydrogels is demonstrated via a binary-nanomaterial-functionalization and solvent-exchange approach. The organohydrogel exhibits high anti-freezing behaviors with maintained electrical conductivity (6.2 S/m) and mechanical properties (2.7 MPa and 820 %) at extreme subzero temperatures. Notably, molecular interactions and geometrical synergy of the nanophases enable the high operation durability of the TENG with at least 15,000 working cycles and a peak power density of ∼ 120 mW m−2 (loading resistance of 5 × 107 Ω and pressure of 40 N) in such harsh environments. Furthermore, the TENG is employed to create a monitoring system capable of real-time wirelessly transmitting electrical signals for identifying the sizes and textures of objects grasped by a robotic hand. Featuring these characteristics, this work may provide a new perspective for designing new strong yet tough and cold-tolerant materials for intelligent and self-powered human–machine interactive systems.