Reusable and Soft Self-Adhesive Epidermal Electrodes for Human Skin Enabled by Functional Additives.

Abstract

Wearable electronics, particularly dry epidermal electrodes, provide human-connected interfaces for recording biopotential signals. However, their practical utility is often hindered by their limited operational longevity and the resulting environmental burden of electronic waste, as most conventional electrodes are discarded after a single use because of performance degradation. Herein, a reusable, soft, and conductive epidermal electrode is reported, fabricated through the precise incorporation of functional additives. By intentionally modulating the polymer chain architecture, a homogeneous composite is developed that exhibits exceptional flexibility, high conductivity (~100 S/cm), softness (~649 kPa), and stretchability (~234%). This molecular-level design promotes strong intermolecular interactions at the skin-electrode interface, facilitating persistent adhesion and conformability to challenging surfaces, including wet, wrinkled, and stretched skin. These properties enable reliable electrocardiography acquisition through 50 repeated attachment and detachment cycles, over which a commercial Ag/AgCl gel electrode became unmeasurable after 20. The applicability of the electrode to human-machine interfaces is further demonstrated by capturing clear electromyography signals of muscle activity during a rock-paper-scissors game. This low-modulus electrode platform offers a route towards repeated-use wearable healthcare systems and soft-robotics applications, with the potential to reduce the waste associated with single-use electrodes.