Semi-Interpenetrating Network Hydrogel Based on TA@MXene and Hydrogen Bonding Synergy for Pressure Sensing and Handwriting Recognition

Abstract

To meet the diverse demands of smart electronic devices in contemporary convenience-driven settings, the development of multifunctional sensors is crucial. However, producing reliable multifunctional sensors remains a significant challenge, limiting their widespread adoption across various application domains. In this study, a novel multifunctional hydrogel is synthesized by incorporating antioxidant-functionalized TA@MXene into a polyacrylamide/carboxymethyl cellulose semi-interpenetrating network via hydrogen bonding synergy. The hydrogel exhibits remarkable properties, including outstanding stretchability (1377%), high toughness (60% compression), and strong adhesion (9.64 kPa). Additionally, it fulfills the stringent requirements for wearable sensors by demonstrating excellent antifreeze performance (−20°C), a broad sensing range (0%–600%), and stability over 500 cycles. The hydrogel also shows superior performance in monitoring human motion and facial expressions, alongside exceptional pressure sensing capabilities, accurately detecting weights from 5 to 200 g with a pressure sensitivity of up to 5.4 kPa⁻¹. Its durability is validated through 100-cycle tests. The hydrogel is well-suited for diverse applications, such as controlling light bulb functionality and handwriting recognition, achieving a recognition accuracy of 93% when paired with deep learning models. These results highlight the hydrogel's significant potential for applications in wearable electronics and smart devices.