Skin-Inspired Ultra-Tough Supramolecular Multifunctional Hydrogel Electronic Skin for Human–Machine Interaction

Abstract Multifunctional supramolecular ultra-tough bionic e-skin with unique durability for human–machine interaction in complex scenarios still remains challenging. Herein, we develop a skin-inspired ultra-tough e-skin with tunable mechanical properties by a physical cross-linking salting-freezing-thawing method. The gelling agent ( β -Glycerophosphate sodium: Gp) induces the aggregation and binding of PVA molecular chains and thereby toughens them (stress up to 5.79 MPa, toughness up to 13.96 MJ m −3 ). Notably, due to molecular self-assembly, hydrogels can be fully recycled and reprocessed by direct heating (100 °C for a few seconds), and the tensile strength can still be maintained at about 100% after six…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 32201179
• SJ
  Shanghai Jiao Tong University
• BA
  Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province

  Awards: 2020A1515110126, 2021A1515010130