Conducting Polysaccharide Hydrogel with near-Linear Ultrastrain, Self-Adhesion, and Self-Healing Modulated by Molecular Engineering of Dissipative Energy for Human-Machine Interaction.

Abstract

Interface issues between skin and electric device have always been a difficulty, including mechanical property, adhesion, and biocompatibility. Especially mechanical strength and linear deformation are contradiction points. Herein, an ultrastretched, self-healing adhesive and conducting polysaccharide hydrogel with a near-linear deformation is developed via the molecular engineering of dissipative energy strategy. Two physical bonds with a large energy difference are introduced into the hydrogel to realize the near-linear ultratensile. Strong metal coordination provides mechanical strength, while numerous weak hydrogen bonds counteract the yielding, so that near-linear ultradeformation (2199.27%), elastic modulus (29.025 kPa), stress (183.05 kPa), toughness (2.65 MJ m^-3), adhesion, and self-healing characterizations are accomplished. Moreover, based on mechanical and adhesive properties, hydrogel-based sensors are fabricated. Furthermore, robotic hand control, assistance driving, and tactile tracing are realized. This work provided a novel and universal approach to design and fabricate an elastomer with near-perfect linear ultradeformation by battle strong and weak interactions for HMI.