NIR-responsive multi-healing HMPAM/dextran/AgNWs hydrogel sensor with recoverable mechanics and conductivity for human-machine interaction

Conductive and self-healing hydrogel sensor is perspective in human-machine interaction applications. However, the design of ideal self-healing hydrogels are always challenging. Herein, by introducing disulfide modified Ag nanowires (AgNWs), we show a novel self-healing hydrogel strain sensor with superior mechanics, conductivity, antibacterial property, and firstly realizing of self-healing with both recovery of mechanics and sensing properties. We demonstrate that the covalent and reversible non-covalent hydrophobic blocks in hydrophobic modified polyacrylamide (HMPAM) achieves the basic self-healing network; dextran with plentiful hydroxyl groups synergistic helps the self-healing by hydrogen bonds; disulfide on the AgNWs surface forms a NIR-responsive and dynamic Ag-S coordination bridge between HMPAM and AgNWs. The resulted hydrogel sensor exhibits comprehensive electromechanical properties, and precisely monitors human motion and subtle electromyography (EMG) signals. Importantly, we firstly achieved the recovery of sensing properties on human motion detection and EMG signal detection after self-healing. This work provides a promising exploration to manufacture bionic strain sensors for potential applications in wearable electronics.