Versatile Eutectogel Sensor With Tunable Mechanical Properties for Monitoring of Human Bioelectromechanical Signals

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Flexible gel sensors are crucial for wearable and implantable devices but face limitations in mechanical robustness, conductivity, and biocompatibility.
• Traditional conductive gels present challenges in terms of safety, cost, and environmental impact.
• Deep eutectic solvents (DES) offer a promising alternative for developing safer, greener, and scalable conductive gel materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop multifunctional conductive gels with tunable mechanical and electrical properties using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and DES.
• To investigate the antibacterial and biocompatibility functions of these novel eutectogels.
• To assess the potential of these gels as replacements for conventional materials in health monitoring applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and DES (PD) eutectogels using a green economic strategy.
• Tuning mechanical and conductive properties by varying component ratios and preparation methods.
• Evaluation of mechanical range (Young's modulus, elongation), electrical conductivity, strain sensing (gauge factor), anti-freezing ability, biosafety, and antibacterial properties.

Main Results:

• The PD eutectogels exhibited tunable mechanical properties (Young's modulus: 0.84–10.22 MPa) and high elongation (718%).
• Achieved sensitive strain sensing (GF = 2.05) and good anti-freezing performance (-10°C).
• Demonstrated excellent biosafety, antibacterial properties, and efficacy in replacing commercial electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode gels and in joint deformation and environmental sensors.

Conclusions:

• The developed PVA-DES eutectogels are multifunctional, eco-friendly, and possess tunable properties suitable for advanced applications.
• These gels show significant potential for next-generation health monitoring due to their enhanced performance and biocompatibility.
• The simple, additive-free fabrication offers a scalable and environmentally conscious approach to advanced sensor materials.