Low-temperature strain-sensitive sensor based on cellulose-based ionic conductive hydrogels with moldable and self-healing properties

Minzhi Chen; Qi Quan; Zhenping You; Yue Dong; Xiaoyan Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127396

Low-temperature strain-sensitive sensor based on cellulose-based ionic conductive hydrogels with moldable and self-healing properties

Int J Biol Macromol. 2023 Dec 31;253(Pt 6):127396. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127396. Epub 2023 Oct 11.

Authors

Minzhi Chen¹, Qi Quan², Zhenping You², Yue Dong², Xiaoyan Zhou³

Affiliations

¹ College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Fast-growing Tree & Agro-fibre Materials Engineering Center, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: chenminzhi@njfu.edu.cn.
² College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Fast-growing Tree & Agro-fibre Materials Engineering Center, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
³ College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Fast-growing Tree & Agro-fibre Materials Engineering Center, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China. Electronic address: zhouxiaoyan@njfu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37827399
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127396

Abstract

Bioelectronics based on high-performance conductive ionic hydrogels, which can create novel technological interfaces with the human body, have attracted significant interest from both academia and industry. However, it is still a challenge to fabricate hydrogel sensor with integration of good mechanical properties, fast self-healing ability and flexible strain sensitivity below 0 °C. In this paper, we present a moldable, self-healing and adhesive cellulose-based ionic conductive hydrogel with strain-sensitivity, which was prepared by forming dual-crosslinked networks using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with borax, calcium chloride (CaCl₂), zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl oxidized cellulose nanofibril (TCNF). The hydrogel exhibited fast self-healing within 10 s, moderate modulus of 5.13 kPa, high elongation rate of 1500 % and excellent adhesion behavior on various substrates. Due to multiple hydrogen bonding and the presence of CaCl₂ and ZnCl₂, the hydrogel presented a reduced freezing point as low as -41.1 °C, which enabled its application as a low-temperature strain sensor. The proposed hydrogel provides a simple and facile method for fabricating multi-functional hydrogels that can be used as suitable strain sensors for applications such as wearable electronic sensor, soft robotics and electronic skins in a wide temperature range.

Keywords: Anti-freezing; Cellulose; Hydrogel.

MeSH terms

Calcium Chloride
Cellulose
Cellulose, Oxidized*
Electric Conductivity
Humans
Hydrogels
Ions
Prunella*
Temperature

Substances

Cellulose
Calcium Chloride
Cellulose, Oxidized
Hydrogels
Ions