MXene-Based Textile-Integrated Dry Electrodes for Surface Electromyography (sEMG)

This paper proposes a textile-integrated dry sEMG electrode system with a layered MXene-based structure. The design includes a tannic acid pretreatment on the fabric substrate, creating bio-friendly interfacial bridges that reinforce adhesion between the fabric and MXene layers. Morphological and chemical analyses (e.g., FTIR) confirm the efficacy of tannic acid in enhancing active sites, thereby promoting uniform MXene deposition. Mechanical tests, including a tensile peeling assessment, demonstrate stable adhesion across the electrode, while skin-contact impedance measurements confirm reliable signal transmission similar to commercial gel electrodes at the sEMG frequency range. Further, multiple MXene layer electrodes show stronger sEMG signals compared with single MXene layer one, underscoring the advantage of additional conductive layers in maintaining consistent electrical performance.Clinical Relevance-The resulting electrode structure is comfortable, exhibits no skin irritation or residue during removal, and maintains integrity under repeated mechanical stress, making it a promising candidate for long-term, self-administered sEMG applications. Future work will explore scalable production methods and expanded use in biomedical engineering and human-machine interfacing contexts.