Carbon Nanotubes and Silica@polyaniline Core-Shell Particles Synergistically Enhance the Toughness and Electrical Conductivity in Hydrophobic Associated Hydrogels.

Abstract

Soft, conductive, and stretchable sensors are highly desirable in many applications, including artificial skin, biomonitoring patches, and so on. Recently, a combination of good electrical and mechanical properties was regarded as the most important evaluation criterion for judging whether hydrogel sensors are suitable for practical applications. Herein, we demonstrate a novel carboxylated carbon nanotube (MWCNT-COOH)-embedded P(AM/LMA)/SiO2@PANI hydrogel. The hydrogel benefits from a double-network structure (hydrogen bond cross-linking and hydrophobic connectivity network) due to the role of MWCNT-COOH and SiO2@PANI as cross-linkers, thus resulting in tough composite hydrogels. The obtained P(AM/LMA)/SiO2@PANI/MWCNT-COOH hydrogels exhibited high tensile strength (1939 kPa), super stretchability (3948.37%), and excellent strain sensitivity (gauge factor = 11.566 at 100-1100% strain). Obviously, MWCNT-COOH not only improved the electrical conductivity but also enhanced the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. Therefore, the integration of MWCNT-COOH and SiO2@PANI-based hydrogel strain sensors will display broad application in sophisticated intelligence, soft robotics, bionic prosthetics, personal health care, and other fields using inexpensive, green, and easily available biomass.