3D Printing Silk Fibroin/Polyacrylamide Triple-Network Composite Hydrogels with Stretchability, Conductivity, and Strain-Sensing Ability as Bionic Electronic Skins

Qianqian Niu ¹, Li Huang ¹, Suna Fan ¹

⁰State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.

Acs Biomaterials Science & Engineering +

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April 25, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Researchers developed a novel 3D printed hydrogel composite for electronic skins. This material offers stretchability, conductivity, and strain-sensing capabilities for advanced wearable electronics and real-time monitoring applications.

Area Of Science

Materials Science
Biomaterials Engineering
Wearable Technology

Background

Electronic skins require advanced composite hydrogels with complex structures.
Simple fabrication methods for multifunctional electronic skin materials are needed.

Purpose Of The Study

To develop a novel 3D printing composite hydrogel for electronic skins.
To achieve a dual-signal response with stretchability, conductivity, and strain-sensing ability.

Main Methods

Fabrication of a triple-network hydrogel using a one-step photocuring method.
Incorporation of silk microfibers (SMF), regenerated silk fibroin (RSF), and polyacrylamide (PAM).
Utilizing electrostatic interactions and chemical cross-linking for network formation.

Main Results

The composite hydrogel exhibits enhanced mechanical properties (elastic modulus of 140 kPa, compressive stress of 21 MPa) and 3D printability.
Achieved good conductivity and strain-sensing ability via interaction with salt solutions.
Demonstrated successful real-time monitoring using the 3D printed hydrogel scaffold.

Conclusions

The novel triple-network hydrogel is a promising material for electronic skins.
The material's properties support applications in skin tissue engineering, real-time monitoring, soft robotics, and human-machine interfaces.

Keywords:

3D printing electronic skin hydrogel silk fibroin strain-sensing ability triple network