High-Conductivity, Self-Healing, and Adhesive Ionic Hydrogels for Health Monitoring and Human-Machine Interactions Under Extreme Cold Conditions

Abstract

Ionic conductive hydrogels (ICHs) are emerging as key materials for advanced human-machine interactions and health monitoring systems due to their unique combination of flexibility, biocompatibility, and electrical conductivity. However, a major challenge remains in developing ICHs that simultaneously exhibit high ionic conductivity, self-healing, and strong adhesion, particularly under extreme low-temperature conditions. In this study, a novel ICH composed of sulfobetaine methacrylate, methacrylic acid, TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers, sodium alginate, and lithium chloride is presented. The hydrogel is designed with a hydrogen-bonded and chemically crosslinked network, achieving excellent conductivity (0.49 ± 0.05 S m⁻¹), adhesion (36.73 ± 2.28 kPa), and self-healing capacity even at −80 °C. Furthermore, the ICHs maintain functionality for over 45 days, showcasing outstanding anti-freezing properties. This material demonstrates significant potential for non-invasive, continuous health monitoring, adhering conformally to the skin without signal crosstalk, and enabling real-time, high-fidelity signal transmission in human-machine interactions under cryogenic conditions. These ICHs offer transformative potential for the next generation of multimodal sensors, broadening application possibilities in harsh environments, including extreme weather and outer space.