Title

Self-Recovery, Fatigue-Resistant, and Multifunctional Sensor Assembled by a Nanocellulose/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomplex-Mediated Hydrogel

Authors

Ya Lu, Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Yiying Yue, College of Biology and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Qinqin Ding, Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Changtong Mei, Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Xinwu Xu, Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Qinglin Wu, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States.
Huining Xiao, Chemical Engineering Department, New Brunswick University, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5A3, Canada.
Jingquan Han, Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, Joint International Research Lab of Lignocellulosic Functional Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-27-2021

Abstract

Flexible sensors have attracted great research interest due to their applications in artificial intelligence, wearable electronics, and personal health management. However, due to the inherent brittleness of common hydrogels, preparing a hydrogel-based sensor integrated with excellent flexibility, self-recovery, and antifatigue properties still remains a challenge to date. In this study, a type of physically and chemically dual-cross-linked conductive hydrogels based on 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCN)-carrying carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polyacrylamide (PAAM) matrix via a facial one-pot free-radical polymerization is developed for multifunctional wearable sensing application. Inside the hierarchical gel network, TOCNs not only serve as the nanoreinforcement with a toughening effect but also efficiently assist the homogeneous distribution of CNTs in the hydrogel matrix. The optimized TOCN-CNT/PAAM hydrogel integrates high compressive (∼2.55 MPa at 60% strain) and tensile (∼0.15 MPa) strength, excellent intrinsic self-recovery property (recovery efficiency >92%), and antifatigue capacity under both cyclic stretching and pressing. The multifunctional sensors assembled by the hydrogel exhibit both high strain sensitivity (gauge factor ≈11.8 at 100-200% strain) and good pressure sensing ability over a large pressure range (0-140 kPa), which can effectively detect the subtle and large-scale human motions through repeatable and stable electrical signals even after 100 loading-unloading cycles. The comprehensive performance of the TOCN-CNT/PAAM hydrogel-based sensor is superior to those of most gel-based sensors previously reported, indicating its potential applications in multifunctional sensing devices for healthcare systems and human motion monitoring.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

ACS applied materials & interfaces

First Page

50281

Last Page

50297

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