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Ultrasoft Zwitterionic Eutectogels for Adaptive and Durable Sensing at Dynamic Skin Interfaces
Yufan Wang1,2, Han Shen1,2, Yu Zhang3
1State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Shandong Collaborative Innovation Center of Marine Biobased Fiber and Ecological Textile, Institute of Marine Biobased Materials, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Bio-based Fibers, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
Zwitterionic eutectogels offer improved mechanical properties and adhesion for bioelectronic interfaces. These advanced hydrogels enable robust signal acquisition and strain sensing for wearable devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Zwitterionic hydrogels are promising for bioelectronic interfaces due to antifouling properties and ionic conductivity.
- Limitations include poor mechanical compliance, substrate adhesion, and environmental sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel zwitterionic eutectogels with enhanced mechanical properties and interfacial adhesion.
- To investigate their potential for wearable bioelectronics and soft human-machine interfaces.
Main Methods:
- One-pot photopolymerization of zwitterionic and polar monomers in a deep eutectic solvent (DES).
- Characterization of mechanical properties (modulus, toughness, stretchability) and ionic conductivity.
- Evaluation of interfacial adhesion and performance in electrophysiological signal acquisition and strain sensing.
Main Results:
- Synthesized zwitterionic eutectogels exhibit an ultralow modulus (~10 kPa), high toughness (160 kJ m⁻³), and 850% stretchability.
- Achieved ionic conductivity of 70 mS m⁻¹.
- Demonstrated environmentally tolerant, strain-adaptive adhesion for conformal skin contact, enabling robust signal acquisition and high-fidelity strain sensing.
Conclusions:
- Zwitterionic eutectogels overcome limitations of traditional hydrogels, offering a versatile platform for next-generation bioelectronics.
- The developed materials show significant potential for advanced wearable sensors and soft human-machine interfaces.
