Muscle Fatigue Sensor Based on Ti₃ C₂ T_x MXene Hydrogel

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• MXene-based hydrogels (M-hydrogels) offer unique properties compared to conventional hydrogels.
• MXene (Ti₃ C₂ T_x ) integrated with polyacrylic acid/polyvinyl alcohol forms a novel M-hydrogel.
• Understanding iontronic transport modulation in M-hydrogels is crucial for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of strain and pH on the electronic and ionic transport properties of M-hydrogels.
• To develop a strain-tunable M-hydrogel for sensing applications.
• To demonstrate the potential of M-hydrogels as wearable muscle fatigue sensors.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of MXene (Ti₃ C₂ T_x )-polyacrylic acid/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (M-hydrogel).
• Characterization of M-hydrogel's electronic and ionic transport under varying strain and pH conditions.
• Development and testing of a wearable M-hydrogel sensor coupled with a smartphone for real-time muscle fatigue monitoring.

Main Results:

• Strain application reorients MXene sheets, modulating ionic transport via surface charge pathways.
• Axial strain increases M-hydrogel's electronic resistance by disrupting the conductive MXene network.
• Iontronic characteristics are tunable by both strain and pH.

Conclusions:

• Strain and pH are effective parameters for tuning the iontronic properties of M-hydrogels.
• Developed M-hydrogel serves as a functional sensor for real-time muscle fatigue detection during exercise.
• This technology has broad potential for monitoring physiological changes in wearable devices.