Stretchable and self-healable hydrogel-based capacitance pressure and strain sensor for electronic skin systems

Abstract

Developing stretchable and self-healable skin-like materials have received increasing research for their broad application in wearable sensors, artificial intelligence, and soft robotics. However, development of skin-like sensor that can combine superior stretchable and self-healing ability is still a challenge. In this work, we designed a tough and self-healing hydrogel by formation of the hydrogen bonds and dual metal-carboxylate coordination bonds among pectin, poly(acrylic acid) and metal ions. The reversible nature of dynamic coordination interactions endowing the hydrogel high stretchability (1214%), excellent recovery property as well as superior self-healing ability (94% healing efficiency in 2 h) without any assistance of external stimuli. The stretchable and self-healable capacitance sensors are based on the hydrogel can detect a large scale of pressures, monitor the multifarious human motions, mimic the function of self-healing and sensation properties of natural skins. This work provides excellent performance of pressure and strain sensors based on the stretchable and self-healable hydrogel, it shows great potential in the field of electronic skin systems.