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

• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201602126
• Publication Date: 2016-07-05T17:37:25Z
• Authors: Jiangjiang Duan; Xichao Liang; Jinhua Guo; Kunkun Zhu; Lina Zhang
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

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-1 ) for subtle pressures (<1 kPa), and can detect force in a broad range (102 Pa-101 MPa) with excellent electrical stability and rapid response speed, potentially finding applications for E-skin.