Ordered-Disorder Transition Induced Stretchable Collagen Ionic Gels Toward Flexible Sensors

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Engineering
• Biophysics

Background:

• Natural structural proteins like collagen offer excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties for sensing applications.
• Current protein-based sensors face challenges in achieving high stretchability, stable electrical performance, and long-term durability.
• Existing modification methods often fail to meet these integrated functional demands simultaneously.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel strategy for enhancing protein-based sensing materials.
• To engineer tropocollagen's aggregation structure using Hofmeister-ion engineering.
• To create a highly stretchable, conductive, and durable material for advanced electronic applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Hofmeister-ion engineering to control tropocollagen aggregation.
• Induced a structural transformation from ordered to disordered states.
• Preserved collagen's triple-helical integrity while disrupting supramolecular order.

Main Results:

• Developed a highly stretchable and conductive ionic gel from tropocollagen.
• Achieved exceptional elasticity (fracture strain 560.00%) and resilience (97.36%).
• Demonstrated durable ionic conductivity (0.56 S m⁻¹) and reliable sensing over 1500 cycles.

Conclusions:

• Established a new paradigm of mesoscale disordering for protein-based materials.
• Provided a versatile, biocompatible platform for next-generation flexible electronics and implantable sensors.
• Deepened understanding of ion-modulated hierarchical assembly in biological materials.