Intrinsically adhesive, conductive organohydrogel with high stretchable, moisture retention, anti-freezing and healable properties for monitoring of human motions and electrocardiogram

Abstract

A novel self-adhesive conductive organohydrogel without catechol adhesive components is developed for long-term, continuous monitoring of human motions and electrocardiogram. The organohydrogel is achieved by covalent cross-linking polymerization of acrylamide, N-acryloylglycinamide, and reduced graphene oxide, followed by soaking into ethylene glycol-water mixture. The organohydrogel exhibits intrinsic adhesion to various substances, excellent healing ability of nearly 100% conductivity repair rate, long-lasting moisture retention (about 30 days), extreme temperature tolerance (–20–60 °C), stable conductivity and extraordinary mechanical properties with a maximum tensile strength of 300 kPa, high stretchability over 1700%, compressive stress over 5 MPa. This organohydrogel can adhere to human skin without other fixture for human motions monitoring, such as the bending of wrist, finger, elbow and knee, and throat actions. Moreover, the organohydrogel can achieve long-term, continuous monitoring of human ECG signals in various daily activities, such as a night of sleep, standing, walking, performing leg curls and leg presses, and using an elliptical machine. This research offers a new strategy to develop self-adhesive conductive organohydrogel for long-term, continuous, and imperceptible monitoring of human health signals.