Fully enhances the performance of eutectic hydrogels in the field of flexible sensors by cellulose

Deep eutectic hydrogels (DES hydrogels), fabricated from deep eutectic solvents (DES), offer superior stability and applicability compared to traditional polymer-based hydrogels. However, most DES hydrogels exhibit substantial hysteresis during stretching and low electrical conductivity due to the viscous nature of the solvents. This study presents an effective approach to enhance DES hydrogel performance. By anchoring flexible chains at various scales and using water as a lubricant, we obtained a eutectic hydrogel with high conductivity, low hysteresis, frost resistance and long service life. Testing demonstrated a 2.28-fold increase in conductivity (1.28 S/m), a 2.5-fold increase in tensile strength, and 1363 % elongation at break. Furthermore, the hydrogel retained excellent flexibility and tensile strength after 60 days at room temperature in an open-air environment. This demonstrates the DES hydrogel's significant potential for flexible sensor applications. This research provides a viable strategy for preparing high-performance DES hydrogels.