Multifunctional skin-inspired resilient MXene-embedded nanocomposite hydrogels for wireless wearable electronics

Abstract

Biomimetic electronic skins (E-skins), which monitor and feedback human health, have potential in the areas of human–machine interactions and electronic devices. To advance the unsatisfactory mechanical properties, sensory performances, and the wireless convenience of E-skins, a wireless MXene-embedded hydrogel sensor was designed and fabricated based on emerging two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials MXene nanosheets, PAM network, and gelatin physical network. The presence of dual-network (DN) structures, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and MXene nano-reinforcement allowed the hydrogels with superior mechanical adaptability. Furthermore, due to the high conductivity of MXene nanosheets and spider filamentous porous structure, the MXene-based hydrogel sensor exhibited extremely high sensitivity (S1 = 100.4 kPa−1) over a broad pressure range and 5000-cycling dual-mode durability. More importantly, the as-made wireless sensor could accurately detect large-scale and subtle human behaviors via Bluetooth transmission. Simultaneously with the inclusion of MXene, nanocomposite hydrogels demonstrated excellent skin affinity and photo-thermal effects. This strategy paves a feasible way for the new generation of multifunctional biomimetic hypersensitive sensors, presenting a full potential in the application fields of intelligent devices, flexible robots, and biomedical supervisory.