One-step preparation of highly viscoelastic, stretchable, antibacterial, biocompatible, wearable, conductive composite hydrogel with extensive adhesion

Abstract

In recent years, conductive hydrogels have made remarkable progress in the field of simulating human skin because of their good inherent properties. However, developing a hydrogel that combines high mechanical strength, satisfactory ionic conductivity and extensive adhesion to a variety of substrates remains a challenge. Herein, we report a double network composite hydrogel using dopa methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, methacrylatoethyl trimethylammonium chloride, and acrylic acid. The hydrogel has a tensile strength of ∼66.1 kPa, an elongation-at-break of 240%, a high ionic conductivity of 10.74 × 10−4 S/cm, good antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and extensive adhesion to both polar and non-polar surfaces. The natural cellulose nanofibers have a synergistic effect on enhancing the mechanical strength of ionic conductive hydrogels. In addition, the wearable skin sensor based on the hydrogel has the characteristics of high sensitivity, wide sensing range, good stability, high precision and good repeatability for human movement detection and recognition. Based on this simple strategy, multifunctional hydrogels with high mechanical strength, adhesion, antibacterial properties, high electrical signal sensitivity and good biocompatibility were obtained, which has potential application prospects in the field of wearable devices.