Bionics-inspired highly robust and fatigue-resistant hydrogel composite elastomers with multi-applications

The key factors limiting the potential applications of hydrogels are their weak mechanical properties, specifically fatigue and hysteresis, which arise from the breakage of low-energy amorphous polymer chains within the hydrogels. To address this issue, this study presents a universal approach for fabricating composite hydrogels that exhibit remarkable elasticity and mechanical stability. The Ecoflex elastomer backbone was integrated into the organic hydrogel to mimic the cytoskeletal structure. This innovation serves to bolster the material's fatigue resistance and eliminate hysteresis. The findings reveal that the organic hydrogel/porous Ecoflex (OHPE) composite displays impressive mechanical stability. Remarkably, it can endure up to 5,000 load-unload cycles, even at a 250 % strain, with minimal alteration in its mechanical properties. Furthermore, OHPE exhibits excellent resistance to dewatering and freezing, making it a robust material for various applications. Additionally, OHPE performs admirably as strain sensors, temperature sensors, and triboelectric nanogenerators, highlighting its versatility and potential for widespread use.