Three‐Dimensional Printing Dual‐Network Hydrogel with Antibacterial, Stretchable, and Adhesive Performances for Motion Sensing

Abstract

Advanced hydrogels are generally characterized by their hydrophilic, porous, and 3D cross‐linked polymer networks, which have been widely utilized in flexible wearable sensors. Even though the great process has been developed in this area, there is still challenge for the wearable sensor with the multifunction of high tensile strength, good adhesion, and antibacterial properties simultaneously through 3D printing technology. In this study, a multifunctional hydrogel is developed by incorporating antibacterial monomers, specifically chitosan (CS) and tannic acid (TA), into the radical polymerization process of acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). The resulting functional hydrogel, after immersing in a CaCl 2 solution, demonstrates high tensile strength (730 kPa), excellent adhesion to pigskin (simulating human skin) (12 kPa), and effective antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. By integrating 3D printing technology, devices can be customized, and hydrogels can be designed in various shapes and sizes to conform to the contours of the human body, thereby facilitating a faster and more convenient method for fabricating flexible sensors and simplifying the hydrogel preparation process. Consequently, this study proposes a novel method for preparing hydrogels in conjunction with 3D printing technology to enhance the application of flexible sensors for motion monitoring.