Tough, high conductivity pectin polysaccharide-based hydrogel for strain sensing and real-time information transmission

Abstract

Hydrogels from natural polymers are eco-friendly, biocompatible and adjustable for manufacturing wearable sensors. However, it is still challenging to prepare natural polymer hydrogel sensors with excellent properties (e.g., high conductivity). Here, we developed a physically cross-linked, highly conductive and multifunctional hydrogel (named PPTP) to address this challenge. The natural renewable pectin-based PPTP hydrogel is synthesized by introducing tannic acid (TA), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and sodium chloride (NaCl) into the pectin/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) dual network structure. The hydrogel exhibits excellent characteristics, including unique tensile strength (2.6155 MPa), high electrical conductivity (7 S m−1), and high sensitivity (GF = 3.75). It is also recyclable, further enhancing its eco-friendly nature. The PPTP hydrogel can be used for monitoring human joint activities, as flexible electrodes for monitoring electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, and touchable screen pen for electronic skin. Moreover, when combined with Morse code and wireless Bluetooth technology, PPTP hydrogels can be used for underwater and land information encryption, and decryption. Our unique PPTP hydrogel offers promising opportunities for medical monitoring, information transfer, and human-computer interaction.