Flexible
and wearable sensors based on nanocomposite hydrogels
have been used to monitor human physiological signals. However, it
is still a challenge to develop flexible sensors using self-healing
hydrogels with the properties of biocompatibility and flexibility.
In this manuscript, Janus nanosheets were implanted into guar gum
(GG)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) 3-dimensional network structure. The
obtained flexible sensor with nanocomposite hydrogels had outstanding
flexibility, high sensitivity, and excellent durability. In typical
oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsion, GO-poly(4-vinylphenylboronic
acid)/polydopamine Janus nanosheets (JNs) were surface-initiated with
4-vinylphenylboronic acid (4VPBA) on the side of GO by RAFT polymerization
and self-polymeriztion of dopamine (DA) on the other side by mussel-inspired
chemistry, respectively. The JNs hydrogels had the preferable mechanical
strength (1.0 MPa) and self-healing efficiency (93.1%) in the presence
of reversible interaction. The resistive-type hydrogels sensor with
these JNs hydrogels exhibited high sensitivity (gauge factor (GF)
= 12.5) and antifatigue sensing performance (100% strain, 600 cycles).
The sensor could monitor different human movements, which includes
both large-scale (wrist bending, elbow bending, and running) and small-scale
(cough vibrations, pulse rates, and finger bending) motion precisely.
These nanocomposite hydrogels will provide strategies for wearable
flexible sensors with superior stability and repeatability.