Solvent-Resistant and Nonswellable Hydrogel Conductor toward Mechanical Perception in Diverse Liquid Media

Abstract

Wet-resistant flexible electronics have gained impressive attention as underwater wearable sensors, all-weather electronic skins, and implantable bioelectrodes. However, fabricating a stable and nonswelling hydrogel-based electronic device used in diverse liquid media is challenging and promising for the progress of wet-resistance electronics. Herein, a solvent-resistant and tough hydrogel conductor is successfully prepared and exhibits fatigue resistance, antifreezing behavior, and nonswelling and wet-adhesion performances in organic and aqueous solutions. Moreover, the hydrogels are utilized as all-weather wearable sensors featuring high sensitivity, reliability, and wide sensing ranges for monitoring and distinguishing various physiological signals and human motions. Furthermore, the hydrogel sensors can even achieve accurate and stable mechanical sensing of pressure, bending, and stretching in diverse solvents consisting of water, chloroform, hexane, and dodecane. It is envisioned that the solvent-resistant and antifreezing hydrogel conductor can present promising feasibility as all-weather electronic skins, intelligent sensors in solvents, and soft robots in various harsh liquid environments.