Chitosan-based antibacterial, low-temperature stable conductive organohydrogels via synergistic multi-dynamics...

Soft conductive hydrogels have garnered significant attention in flexible/wearable electronics. However, the mechanical properties of traditional single-polymer-network hydrogels are often inadequate. Achieving an optimal synergy between mechanics and electrical conductivity in hydrogels necessitates rational integration of conductive fillers within polymer networks. Herein, hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was utilized as the fundamental backbone through radical polymerization to construct an interpenetrating dual-network structure. Positively charged Ti₃C₂T_x MXene was incorporated as a conductive filler to fabricate HACC/PAA conductive organohydrogels within a glycerol-H₂O solvent system. The organohydrogels exhibited remarkable electromagnetic shielding performance in the X-band, with a shielding effectiveness of 45.0 dB. Additionally, the introduction of HACC endowed the conductive organohydrogels with excellent antibacterial properties, effectively inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with inhibition zone diameters of 26.2 mm and 38.5 mm, respectively. Most importantly, the incorporation of gly-H₂O binary solvent prevented water from freezing at low temperatures, allowing the organohydrogels to maintain stable electromagnetic shielding performance (39.2 dB) and sensing capabilities (gauge factor = 2.95) even after 15 days of storage at low temperatures. This conductive organohydrogels, with their versatility and superior mechanical properties, show great potential for applications in electronic skin and flexible/wearable electronic products.