Ultra-Stretchable and Force-Sensitive Hydrogels Reinforced with Chitosan Microspheres Embedded in Polymer Networks.

Duan, Jiangjiang; Liang, Xichao; Guo, Jinhua; Zhu, Kunkun; Zhang, Lina · Adv Mater · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

An ultra-stretchable and force-sensitive hydrogel with surface self-wrinkling microstructure is demonstrated by in situ synthesizing polyacrylamide (PAAm) and polyaniline (PANI) in closely packed swollen chitosan microspheres, exhibiting ultra-stretchability (>600%), high sensitivity (0.35 kPa<sup>-1</sup> ) for subtle pressures (<1 kPa), and can detect force in a broad range (10<sup>2</sup> Pa-10<sup>1</sup> MPa) with excellent electrical stability and rapid response speed, potentially finding applications for E-skin.