Dual-network conductive hydrogels based on carboxymethylcellulose/ aminated carbon nanotube reinforcement: Monitoring human micro-expressions and signal changes.

Traditional hydrogel sensors have gained widespread attention in the fields of electronic skin, human-machine interaction and other applications due to their unique flexibility and biocompatibility. However, integrating multiple functions into a single hydrogel remains a challenge. Additionally, most hydrogel preparation processes are complex. This study addresses these issues by dispersing a mixed solution of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and aminated carbon nanotubes into a double network hydrogel system composed of polyacrylamide (PAM) and gelatin, while adjusting the mass fraction of CMC to obtain a double network hydrogel with strong mechanical properties. The resulting hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical performance strong toughness, and conductivity. In terms of signal detection, this hydrogel demonstrates good sensitivity and response time, making it suitable for monitoring localized movements of the human body, such as finger, wrist, elbow, and knee bending. Furthermore, this hydrogel can detect smaller strains, holding potential application value in recognizing micro-expressions and voice. More importantly, the preparation method for this hydrogel is simple, and the conditions are readily accessible, making it suitable for large-scale production. This study presents a promising approach for manufacturing tough and conductive multifunctional hydrogels, which has significant research value in the fields of wearable sensors and electronic skin.