Anti-bacterial silk-based hydrogels for multifunctional electrical skin with mechanical-thermal dual sensitive integration

Abstract Designing the high-performance hydrogel sensor with skin-compatible performances, such as mechanical/thermal sensitivity, excellent durability, extreme temperature-tolerance, and anti-bacterial property, is crucial for its application in skin-mimicking field. However, simultaneous realization of multifunctionalities in a single hydrogel sensor remains a great challenge. Herein, a multifunctional integrated hydrogel sensor was fabricated to imitate natural skins utilizing a robust silk-based hydrogel. This synthetic hydrogel exhibits wide-spectrum mechanical property, together with extreme temperature-tolerance, long-lasting moisture and excellent anti-bacterial property. Meanwhile, the synergistic performances of excellent mechanical performance, dynamic physical bonding interaction between networks and the thermoelectric effect of organic conductor within this hydrogel endow multiple sensory capabilities toward strain, stress and temperature with high resolution. This work provides a feasible method to construct robust hydrogel sensor with multi-functionalities, and significantly promotes the practical development of bioelectric skins to mimic natural skins with sophisticated intelligence.