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Bioinspired Catechol-PEG Functionalized PVDF Nanofiber Membranes with Hydrophilicity-Adhesion Synergy for Reliable
Minghui Xiao1, Lu Deng1, Jing He1
1College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|September 1, 2025
Summary
This study presents novel hydrophilic-adhesive polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber membranes for advanced wearable sweat sensors. These membranes offer improved skin adhesion, sweat uptake, and biosafety for reliable physiological monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Wearable Technology
- Noninvasive Physiological Monitoring
Background:
- Wearable sweat sensors face challenges in skin adhesion, sweat management, and biosafety, hindering clinical use.
- Existing noninvasive monitoring platforms require improvements for dynamic skin conformability and reliable performance during physical activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop advanced polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber membranes with enhanced hydrophilic-adhesive properties for sweat sensor construction.
- To address limitations in dynamic skin conformability, adhesion, sweat uptake, and biosafety for wearable diagnostic devices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of composite membranes using catechol-functionalized polyethylene glycol copolymer (catechol-PEG) integrated into PVDF nanofibers via electrospinning.
- Bioinspired modification strategy involving dopamine and poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE) for copolymer synthesis.
- Characterization of membrane properties including adhesion, superhydrophilicity, antibacterial activity, and air permeability.
Main Results:
- Composite membranes exhibited robust, reusable adhesion with conformal skin contact, enhanced by hydration.
- Instantaneous superhydrophilicity (water contact angle reduced from 135° to 0°) and significantly improved air permeability (5.4-fold enhancement).
- Potent antibacterial activity (>98.6% inhibition against S. aureus, 97.7% against E. coli) and efficient sweat wicking were demonstrated.
- Human trials with athletes confirmed reliable multiplexed detection of sweat biomarkers (pH, Cl-, Ca2+) with stable epidermal adhesion during intense activity.
Conclusions:
- The developed hydrophilic-adhesive PVDF nanofiber membranes offer a versatile platform for next-generation wearable diagnostics.
- This integrated material system effectively resolves critical limitations in current epidermal monitoring technologies.
- The study paves the way for advanced, reliable, and safe noninvasive physiological monitoring using wearable sweat sensors.
