Cellulose-reinforced highly stretchable and adhesive eutectogels as efficient sensors

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Apr;265(Pt 2):131115. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131115. Epub 2024 Mar 23.

Abstract

A cellulose-reinforced eutectogel was constructed by deep eutectic solvent (DES) and cotton linter cellulose. Cellulose was dispersed in the ternary DES consisting of acrylic acid, choline chloride and AlCl3·6H2O. The photoinitiator was then introduced into the system to in situ polymerize acrylic acid monomer to form transparent and ionic conductive eutectogels while keeping all the DES. The crosslinks formed by Al3+ induced ionic bonds and reversible links formed by hydrogen bonds give the eutectogels high stretchability (3200 ± 200 % tensile strain), self-adhesive (52.1 kPa to glass), self-healing and good mechanical strength (670 kPa). The eutectogels were assembled into sensors and epidermal patch electrodes that demonstrated high quality human motion sensing and physiological signal detection (electrocardiogram and electromyography). This work provides a facile way to design flexible electronics for sensing.

Keywords: Cellulose; Deep eutectic solvent; Eutectogel; Sensor.

MeSH terms

  • Acrylates*
  • Cellulose*
  • Choline
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Humans

Substances

  • acrylic acid
  • Acrylates
  • Cellulose
  • Choline