Aug 2026· Advanced Materials & Technologies· 0 citations· 351 references
Abstract
Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) hydrogels have emerged as a versatile class of mixed ionic‐electronic conductors for next‐generation bioelectronic interfaces, owing to their unique combination of high conductivity, mechanical compliance, and aqueous processability. This review systematically examines the chemistry‐driven design principles governing PEDOT:PSS hydrogel systems, with particular emphasis on how polymerization strategies, structural organization, and secondary doping regulate their electrical, mechanical, and interfacial properties. Key synthesis approaches, including in situ, oxidative, electrochemical, and solution polymerization, as well as physical fabrication methods such as freeze–thaw processing, ionic liquid gelation, electrospinning, and additive manufacturing, are critically analyzed in the context of network formation and charge transport pathways. The resulting hydrogels exhibit tunable modulus, enhanced conductivity, and robust adhesion, enabling stable performance under dynamic physiological conditions. Emerging applications in wearable and therapeutic bioelectronics, including electrophysiological signal monitoring, multimodal strain and pressure sensing, soft circuits, and therapeutic systems, are highlighted, demonstrating their ability to bridge the mechanical–electrical mismatch between conventional electronics and biological tissues. Despite significant progress, challenges related to long‐term stability, dehydration‐induced drift, acidity, scalability, and standardization remain. Future directions are outlined, focusing on sustainable chemistries and advanced manufacturing strategies to accelerate clinical translation and large‐scale deployment of PEDOT:PSS‐based bioelectronic systems.
Thermoresponsive polymer coatings have attracted considerable attention for applications in materials science, biotechnology, and surface engineering. Materials exhibiting upper critical solution temperature (UCST) behavior remain comparatively underexplored in comparison to lower critical solution temperature (LCST), particularly in the form of structured thin films. The present work illustrates the use of poly(2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethylureido glycinamide) (PMEGA) as a versatile UCST‐responsive platform for the fabrication of surface‐attached hydrogel coatings with controlled architecture and functionality. This polymer, with straightforward monomer synthesis, exhibits a well‐defined UCST transition in aqueous solution. Based on thiol–ene click chemistry, the herein presented strategy displays the tunable engineering of homogeneous and microstructured hydrogel films by the cross‐linking and grafting (CLAG) approach. This method enables the fabrication of hydrogel coatings with precisely controlled thicknesses, as well as the generation of well‐defined micropatterns via UV‐induced photolithography like for photoresist. Importantly, the thermoresponsive swelling behavior of the surface‐grafted hydrogels can be adjusted by adjusting UV irradiation parameters, providing direct control over the UCST response in confined geometries. Overall, the combination of straightforward polymer synthesis, scalable thin‐film processing, and tunable thermo‐responsive properties opens new opportunities for the development of advanced functional coatings and microstructured surfaces.
Thi Phuong Thu Nguyen, Léa Milenkovic, Bruno Bresson et al.· Advanced Materials Interface...· 0 citations
ABSTRACT The incorporation of two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoflakes/nanosheets into hydrogel matrices offers significant potential for the development of flexible and biocompatible piezoresistive sensors. Scalable synthesis methods, including liquid‐phase exfoliation and hydrothermal processes, enable the efficient production of 2D MoS2while reducing cost and environmental impact. Owing to the high surface area, anisotropy, and tunable electronic properties, these materials enhance sensitivity, mechanical strength, and electrical performance in hybrid systems. In this work, 1T‐ MoS2‐based hybrid hydrogels were fabricated via UV curing by forming cross‐linked networks with polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and chitosan (CH). Electrical conductivity was further improved through in situ interfacial polymerization of aniline. The equivalent 3D‐printed hydrogels exhibited enhanced mechanical strength, few‐cycles structural stability, swelling, and controlled deformation compared to simply UV‐cured systems, enabling more reproducible electromechanical responses. Both fabrication approaches showed linear and reversible piezoresistive behavior within the physiological blood pressure range. Furthermore, the optimized hydrogel demonstrated to be reliable in pulse monitoring (ca. 85 bpm) with good temporal correlation to the electrocardiogram signal and biocompatibility with human fibroblast cells, underscoring its potential for soft, flexible, and bio‐integrated sensing applications.
Jenny Flores, Arianna Bertero, L. Ceseracciu et al.· Advancement of science· 0 citations
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a widely used elastomer owing to its flexibility, optical clarity, ease of processing, and biocompatibility. However, its application in high‐performance systems is often limited by poor mechanical strength, modest thermal endurance, and high gas permeability. Recent advances in additive‐assisted modification using carbon‐based, inorganic, and hybrid nanofillers have demonstrated significant improvements in rheological, mechanical, thermal, and functional performance. This review critically examines the influence of nanofillers on PDMS, focusing on reinforcement mechanisms, rheological behavior, and multifunctional properties. The mechanisms governing property improvements, such as filler–matrix interactions, interfacial bonding, dispersion quality, and surface functionalization, are analyzed in detail. Comparisons are drawn among carbon‐based materials, inorganic fillers, and hybrid systems to provide a comprehensive understanding of structure–property relationships. Applications in microfluidics, flexible electronics, biomedical systems, and protective coatings are also highlighted. Finally, current challenges related to dispersion, large‐scale processing, and biocompatibility are discussed, together with future opportunities in hybrid reinforcement, sustainable additives, and data‐driven materials design for next‐generation PDMS technologies.
S. Mandal, Rahul Kumar, Deepak Kumar et al.· Polymer Engineering & Sc...· 0 citations
Driven by the surging demand for the Internet of Things and flexible electronics, thermoelectric hydrogels have overcome the rigidity and brittleness inherent to conventional inorganic thermoelectric materials. Leveraging unique advantages such as high flexibility, tissue-like mechanical properties, and tunable ionic conductivity, they exhibit broad application prospects. However, the unique composite architecture of these materials also poses significant challenges for their rational design and performance optimization. This review summarizes recent advances in thermoelectric hydrogels, beginning with an in-depth analysis of the fundamental working mechanisms, including the Seebeck effect, thermogalvanic effect, and thermodiffusion effect, all governed by electronic or ionic carriers. Key performance parameters are presented, with special focus on the dimensionless figure of merit, while the essential tradeoffs among the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity are thoroughly discussed. Furthermore, the paper highlights controllable fabrication strategies for thermoelectric hydrogels, including polymer network design and incorporation of functional fillers, and provides performance optimization approaches based on electronic, ionic, and hybrid thermoelectric gels. Representative applications in energy harvesting, human–machine interaction, and biomedical monitoring are reviewed to illustrate real-world implementation prospects.
Ran Su, Su-Yi Wen, S. Khan et al.· Applied Physics Reviews· 0 citations
Nanocellulose hydrogels are gaining traction as sustainable soft materials, thanks to the high surface area, abundant hydroxyl groups, mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and renewability of cellulose nanocrystals and nanofibers. Unlike conventional synthetic polymer hydrogels, those based on nanocellulose offer distinct advantages in building mechanically robust, multifunctional, and eco-friendly three-dimensional (3D) networks. This review highlights recent advances in the preparation, structural design, functionalization, and emerging applications of nanocellulose hydrogels. We begin by comparing major preparation routes — mechanical, chemical, chemical-mechanical and green solvent-based — in terms of efficiency, cost, environmental footprint, and scalability. Next, we discuss hydrogel fabrication strategies including physical and chemical crosslinking, double networks, interpenetrating polymer networks, and pore‑structure control. Emphasis is placed on how interfacial interactions, energy dissipation, and network topology govern mechanical performance. Functionalization methods to introduce stimuli responsiveness, electrical conductivity, self‑healing capability, and interfacial adhesion are then reviewed. Representative applications are covered in biomedical engineering, flexible electronics, smart devices, 3D printing, food packaging, and agricultural uses such as water retention and nutrient release. Finally, we critically examine key challenges: balancing mechanical strength with multifunctionality, dispersing nanofillers in multicomponent systems, limitations of current reinforcement theories, long‑term stability, biosafety, and scalable green manufacturing. This review aims to guide the rational design, functional integration, and practical translation of nanocellulose hydrogels.
Yanhua Liu, Zheng Xu, Peng-Jun Zhao et al.· Journal of Solid Waste Valor...· 0 citations
Escalating electronic waste urgently requires the development of biodegradable smart electronic materials. Herein, a molecular network engineering‐based synergistic fabrication approach is pioneered to prepare cellulose‐based plastics (FCBPs) for triboelectric energy harvesting and sensing applications by integrating chemical cross‐linking, solvent exchange, and hot pressing. Using microcrystalline cellulose as the structural scaffold, a robust covalent network is built via epoxy cross‐linking, while dynamic hydrogen bonding and Eu
3+
coordination are simultaneously harnessed to achieve structural robustness and strong fluorescence properties in the FCBPs. The resultant plastics show a balance of superior properties, such as a tensile strength of 150.1 MPa, excellent solvent resistance, thermal stability up to 334 °C, promising hot‐processability, stable fluorescence with an intensity of 375 relative fluorescence units (RFU), complete biodegradability within 28 days, and favorable triboelectric performance. Notably, the FCBPs tailored for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) deliver outstanding electrical performance with an open‐circuit voltage of 175 V, an operational durability exceeding 100 000 cycles, and a broad working temperature range (−20 to 100 °C). Using this tailored FCBP, a handwriting‐recognition sensor and a smart gait‐monitoring insole are further developed, enabling the precise and real‐time capture of handwriting traces and walking patterns. This work pioneers a molecular network engineering strategy for producing high‐performance, multifunctional cellulose‐based plastics, laying a solid foundation for eco‐friendly flexible electronics and sustainable human‐machine interaction platforms.
Fuyuan Lu, Yi-Fan Jiao, Yuxuan Chen et al.· ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL M...· 0 citations
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