Naturally derived double-network hydrogels with application as flexible adhesive sensors

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Hydrogels are extensively utilized in biomedical applications, including wearable sensors and tissue adhesives.
• A significant challenge lies in achieving a balance of critical functionalities like wet adhesion, stable conductivity, and biocompatibility within a single hydrogel system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional hydrogel with balanced properties for advanced biomedical applications.
• To investigate the potential of combining recombinant human collagen (RHC) and aldehyde-modified sodium alginate (Ald-alginate) for enhanced hydrogel performance.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized a hydrogel by crosslinking RHC and Ald-alginate via Schiff-base reactions and metal (Ca2+) chelation.
• Utilized a dual crosslinking strategy involving dynamic covalent (imine) and ionic (Ca2+-alginate) networks.
• Evaluated hydrogel properties including self-healing, injectability, antifreezing, conductivity, biocompatibility, and wet tissue adhesion.

Main Results:

• The dual crosslinking network resulted in excellent self-healing and injectable properties.
• High Ca2+ content imparted antifreezing and stable conductivity.
• The hydrogel demonstrated strong wet tissue adhesion and rapid adherence to various surfaces, forming a robust seal.
• The material proved biocompatible and capable of functioning as a flexible sensor for physiological signal detection.

Conclusions:

• The developed RHC/Ald-alginate hydrogel successfully integrates multiple functionalities, addressing previous limitations in hydrogel design.
• This versatile biomaterial shows significant promise for applications in bioadhesives and biosensing.
• The study opens new possibilities for advanced wearable electronics and tissue engineering scaffolds.