Double-Network Slide-Ring Topological Hydrogel Fibers: Fabrication and Sensor Application

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Stretchable conductive hydrogel fibers are essential for flexible electronics but face manufacturing and mechanical challenges.
• Existing materials often lack the required continuous production viability and adaptability for widespread use in wearable devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer robust, stretchable conductive hydrogel fibers with improved spinnability and mechanical properties.
• To enable the development of advanced wearable sensors and textile-based electronic devices.

Main Methods:

• Combined sodium alginate coordination networks with slide-ring topological networks.
• Utilized calcium ion crosslinking for tunable mechanical properties and conductivity.
• Incorporated polymerizable pseudorotaxanes for enhanced tensile strength and dynamic stability.

Main Results:

• Achieved hydrogel fibers with excellent ion conductivity (0.64 S m⁻¹, 20 °C), transparency, and >3000% stretchability.
• Demonstrated high dynamic mechanical stability with negligible hysteresis and creep.
• Fabricated strain sensors accurately captured high-frequency motion and human body movements with minimal drift.

Conclusions:

• The developed double-network slide-ring topological hydrogel fibers offer a promising platform for advanced wearable electronics.
• This approach provides a new strategy for designing highly adaptable and durable textile-based stretchable electronic devices.