A skin-like, all-in-one hydrogel engineered via a supramolecular entangled network reinforced with hydrogen-bond-associated nanodomains

Hydrogels hold substantial promise for artificial skin in bionic robotics and biomedical devices. However, few hydrogels have a combination of properties comparable to natural human skin. Here, we report a skin-like, all-in-one hydrogel based on a supramolecular entangled network reinforced with hydrogen-bond-associated nanodomains. Within this architecture, hydrogen-bond-associated self-assembled nanodomains, polymer-chain entanglement, dynamic electrostatic interactions, and reversible metal-ligand coordination operate cooperatively to endow the network with mechanical robustness and dynamic adaptability. Consequently, the hydrogel reconciles the intrinsic trade-offs among mechanical properties, multiple functions, and multimodal perception. Its integrated performance compares favorably with that of other advanced hydrogels and even biological skin. To demonstrate its potential applications, we constructed an artificial skin using our hydrogel, which facilitates interaction with the surrounding environment, including monitoring respiration, detecting motion, and manipulating robotic grippers. These results pave the way for versatile hydrogels that replicate the unparalleled combinatory properties of natural skin more precisely for diverse intelligent applications.