Neural network inspired bionic ordered structure polyaniline gel for wearable sensor

Abstract

In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in the research and development of traditional conductive polymer gel wearable sensors. However, it is still a challenge to achieve high sensitivity and mechanical strength at the same time due to the influence of the characteristics of conductive material in gels. Herein, inspired by human neural network, a novel biomimetic ordered polyaniline conductive gel is presented with stable conductivity (18.04 S/m), excellent sensitivity (GF of 3.53) under the condition of high elongation (stretching of 400 %-500 %), good mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and anti-freezing performance. This conductive gel is composed of maleic anhydride modified γ-cyclodextrin, polyaniline, and polyacrylamide. Modified γ-cyclodextrin can be firmly fixed on the polyacrylamide skeleton of the gel through chemical bonds. The aniline is evenly distributed in the hydrophobic cavity of modified cyclodextrin through hydrophobic interaction, and an ordered polyaniline network with γ-cyclodextrins as a physical crosslinking point is formed in the gel. This biomimetic ordered structure greatly improves the toughness and conductivity of the polyaniline network, which significantly enhances the sensing ability of polyaniline gels. This work is expected to provide a novel method for improving the mechanical and electrical properties of polyaniline gels and pave an avenue for the uniform dispersion of non-polar substances in polar gels.