Multifunctional elastomer-organohydrogel hybrid patch for durable skin epidermal strain-sensing and antibacterial applications

Abstract

A multifunctional elastomer-organohydrogel hybrid patch for skin surface strain sensors, denoted as MSR-PO, composed of a modified conductive silicone rubber (MSR) and PAA-based organohydrogel (PO), is fabricated by surface radical polymerization of the PO layer on MSR film, the two layers are linked together with the strong chemical bonding, thereby amalgamating their distinct functionalities. The MSR layer endows the patch with great wear-resisting, anti-freezing, and durable sensing properties. The gel layer coated on conductive silicone rubber imparts the patch with excellent adhesive capability to match the modulus of the skin, which is in favor of monitoring large and small movements of the human body, showing great potential in the field of wearable flexible electronic sensing. Importantly, the rubber layer and gel layer of MSR-PO patch exhibit outstanding synergistic antibacterial effects. This work will inspire the design and fabrication of novel rubber-gel asymmetric patch for multifunctional applications.