Antibacterial, Nontoxic, Antifreezing, and Self-Adhesive Conductive Eutectogel for Strain Sensor
L. -Y. Yu, Xuejing Huang, Zhongjie He, Haishu Pan, Ling Fan, Xiaoqian Li, Ronghua Jin
Abstract
To address issues such as low-temperature freeze–thaw stability and desiccation in hydrogels, as well as the high cost and limited biocompatibility of ionogels, this work successfully synthesized a high-performance poly(acrylamide- co -2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid)-serine (P(AM- co -AMPs)-Ser) eutectogel, using a one-pot polymerization method in a solvent system comprising H 2 O and deep eutectic solvent (DES). By controlling the content of AM, AMPS, and Ser, this eutectogel demonstrated excellent adhesion and outstanding stretchability (1769%). Leveraging DES’s excellent conductivity and low volatility, the prepared P(AM- co -AMPS)-Ser eutectogel exhibited high ionic conductivity (2.84 mS/cm), exceptional antifreezing properties, and environmental stability. It displayed superior flexibility across a wide temperature range (−20 to 60 °C). Serine and choline endowed the eutectogel with a 99% bactericidal rate against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, effectively preventing bacterial invasion and inflammation. In vitro cell proliferation experiments confirmed its excellent biocompatibility. Further application in wearable sensors demonstrated the capability of the eutectogel to monitor both macroscopic and microscopic human movements, showcasing high sensitivity (0–95%, GF = 3.17; 96–195%, GF = 5.94; 196–300%, GF = 10.21), scalability (1769%), and exceptional durability. This eutectogel strategy is expected to drive the development of next-generation secure smart devices, particularly in demanding environments.