Single network double cross-linker (SNDCL) hydrogels with excellent stretchability, self-recovery, adhesion strength, and conductivity for human motion monitoring.

Abstract

Hydrogels, as a kind of soft materials, are good candidates for smart skin-like materials. A double network is usually fabricated to improve the mechanical properties of hydrogels, and involves two different kinds of networks. In this work, a novel strategy for preparing single network double cross-linker (SNDCL) hydrogels was proposed and the prepared hydrogels exhibited excellent mechanical properties, including stretchability, compressibility, self-recovery, adhesion, shape memory and mechanical strength. N,N'-Methylenebisacrylamide forms covalent bonds with the network, while citric acid can form multiple weak interactions due to the polycarboxylic structure. This improves the tensile properties (6564%) and compressive properties of the hydrogel, and the hydrogels also exhibit long-lasting self-adhesion ability on various substrates. In addition, the hydrogels with multiple properties can be used as flexible strain sensors, allowing the monitoring of body movements. The hydrogels can hopefully be used in wearable electronic sensor devices and for healthcare monitoring.