One-pot synthesis of multi-functional cellulose-based ionic conductive organohydrogel with low-temperature strain sensitivity

The advent of high-performance conductive organohydrogels, which are sustainable in extremely cold environment, has attracted immersing interest in biosensors. In this work, a highly stretchable, self-healable, adhesive and antibacterial cellulose-based ionic conductive organohydrogel with low-temperature strain sensitivity was developed, using in-situ polymerization of acrylamide in glycerol-water with poly (vinyl alcohol), chitosan, FeCl3 and 2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl oxidized cellulose nanofibril (TCNF). Owing to their chemically cross-linked structures and multiple H-bonding networks, the organohydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical properties, such as high stretchability (540 %), high compression strength (0.44 MPa), nearly 87 % self-healing efficiency and adhesive to various substrates. Also, good antibacterial property was confirmed by the diameter of inhibition zone (similar to 5.1 mm) against Salmonella enteritidis. Notably, the organohydrogels remained high conductivity and flexibility even below -20 degrees C, which can be applied as low-temperature strain sensor for real-time. Therefore, it has promising applications in artificial intelligence and personal healthcare under cold environment.

Automated summary

The study developed a highly stretchable, antibacterial, and low-temperature sensitive organohydrogel, with high conductivity and flexibility even in extreme cold environments. It has potential applications in artificial intelligence and personal healthcare.