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Updated: Nov 8, 2025
Strain Sensing Based on Multiscale Composite Materials Reinforced with Graphene Nanoplatelets
Published on: November 7, 2016
Highly stretchable and self-healing cellulose nanofiber-mediated conductive hydrogel towards strain sensing
1College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Hypothesis:
Hydrogel-based sensors have attracted considerable attention due to potential opportunities in human health monitoring when both mechanical flexibility and sensing ability are required. Therefore, the integration of excellent mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and self-healing properties into hydrogels may improve the application range and durability of hydrogel-based sensors.
Experiments:
A novel composite hydrogel composed of polyaniline (PANI), polyacrylic acid (PAA) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNFs) was designed. The viscoelastic, mechanical, conductive, self-healing and sensing properties of hydrogels were studied.
Findings:
The TOCNF/PANI/PAA hydrogel exhibits a fracture strain of 982%, tensile strength of 74.98 kPa and electrical conductivity of 3.95 S m-1, as well as good mechanical and electrical self-healing properties within 6 h at ambient temperature without applying any stimuli. Furthermore, owing to the high sensitivity of the TOCNF/PANI/PAA-0.6 hydrogel-based strain sensor (gauge factor, GF = 8.0), the sensor can accurately and rapidly detect large-scale motion and subtle localized activity. The proposed composite hydrogel is as a promising material for use as soft wearable sensors for health monitoring and smart robotics applications.
