Highly Stretchable and Transparent Thermistor Based on Self-Healing Double Network Hydrogel

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Soft Robotics
• Sensors

Background:

• Traditional thermistors lack stretchability and self-healing properties, limiting their use in dynamic environments.
• Developing flexible and sensitive temperature sensors is crucial for advanced robotics and wearable electronics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate an ultrastretchable, self-healing thermistor with high thermal sensitivity and transparency.
• To investigate the programmable sensitivity of the thermistor through mechanical strain.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a polyacrylamide/carrageenan double network (DN) hydrogel.
• Characterization of the hydrogel's mechanical, electrical, and thermal sensing properties.
• Testing of the thermistor's performance under various strain conditions and self-healing capabilities.

Main Results:

• The DN hydrogel-based thermistor exhibits high stretchability (0-330% strain) and thermal sensitivity (2.6%/°C at 200% strain).
• The material demonstrates self-healing of mechanical, electrical, and thermal sensing properties.
• Mechanical strain was found to enhance and enable programmable thermal sensitivity.
• The thermistor maintained performance during large deformations and attached to curvilinear surfaces.

Conclusions:

• The developed DN hydrogel thermistor offers a unique combination of stretchability, self-healing, transparency, and tunable sensitivity.
• This technology holds significant potential for integration into soft robots and other flexible electronic systems for environmental monitoring.