Polyacrylamide–Poly(vinyl alcohol)–Sodium Alginate–Reduced Graphene Oxide/Nylon Fabrics with Multistimuli Responses

Abstract

In recent years, various functional fabrics capable of responding to multistimuli have been widely recognized as promising wearable devices. However, the obtained composite functional fabrics have only been applied in a few scenarios, rendering the achievement of multifunctional wearable application scenarios a difficult goal. Therefore, there is an urgent need to expand the diversity of wearable applications for functional fabrics. Herein, we design hydrogel composite fabrics capable of responding to multiple stimuli, including vibration, temperature, strain, and pressure, to enable wearable multiapplication scenarios. The hydrogel composite fabrics, based on nylon fabrics (NFs), are fabricated with polyacrylamide (PAM)–poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)–sodium alginate (SA)–reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/NFs (PAM–PVA–SA–rGO/NFs). The PAM–PVA–SA–rGO/NFs exhibit a higher elastic stiffness coefficient (2.79 N cm–1) than the blank NFs (1.76 N cm–1), good temperature sensitivity in the range of 30–80 °C, and excellent detecting ability for urine presence with a threshold of unit area of 2.55 × 10–3 mL cm–2. The PAM–PVA–SA–rGO/NFs can not only respond to multiple stimuli but also be integrated into clothing for wearable multiapplication scenarios, such as detecting human speaking and breathing, intelligent sleeves, and diaper alarms. Additionally, the mechanisms of the above phenomena are revealed. These results indicate that the PAM–PVA–SA–rGO/NFs will provide inspiration for the development of intelligence systems, feedback devices, soft robotics, wearable devices, etc.

A Flexible Nylon-Spandex Fabric-Supported PVA/PANI Hydrogel Sensor with High Strength and Conductivity

“…Fabrics possess high mechanical strength, tensile elasticity and recovery. Integrating fabric with conductive hydrogels can substantially improve the mechanical shortcomings of traditional hydrogels while imparting conductivity to the fabric. , The unique coil structure of fabric allows fabric-based conductive hydrogels to withstand greater tension during stretching, thereby enabling the efficient reception of electrical signals. , Currently, the most widely employed method for fabric integration is the direct coating method, which ensures a uniform hydrogel coating on the fabric . This method is simpler, cost-effective and suitable for a wide range of applications.…”