Connective tissue inspired elastomer-based hydrogel for artificial skin via radiation-indued penetrating polymerization

• Published in: Nature communications 2024-01, Vol.15 (1), p.636-636, Article 636
• Main Authors: Tian, Yuan, Wang, Zhihao, Cao, Shuiyan, Liu, Dong, Zhang, Yukun, Chen, Chong, Jiang, Zhiwen, Ma, Jun, Wang, Yunlong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 639/301/923/1027; 639/301/923/1028; 639/638/298/923/3931; Adaptability; Bionics; Coefficient of friction; Connective tissues; Crosslinking; Elastomers; Fibers; Flow control; Fluid flow; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; Hydrogels; Hydrogels - chemistry; Hydrophobicity; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; multidisciplinary; Polyampholytes; Polymerization; Radiation; Radiation effects; Robots; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Skin; Skin, Artificial; Wound healing
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44949-1

Robust hydrogels offer a candidate for artificial skin of bionic robots, yet few hydrogels have a comprehensive performance comparable to real human skin. Here, we present a general method to convert traditional elastomers into tough hydrogels via a unique radiation-induced penetrating polymerization method. The hydrogel is composed of the original hydrophobic crosslinking network from elastomers and grafted hydrophilic chains, which act as elastic collagen fibers and water-rich substances. Therefore, it successfully combines the advantages of both elastomers and hydrogels and provides similar Young’s modulus and friction coefficients to human skin, as well as better compression and puncture load capacities than double network and polyampholyte hydrogels. Additionally, responsive abilities can be introduced during the preparation process, granting the hybrid hydrogels shape adaptability. With these unique properties, the hybrid hydrogel can be a candidate for artificial skin, fluid flow controller, wound dressing layer and many other bionic application scenarios. Robust hydrogels offer a promising solution for the development of artificial skin for bionic robots, yet few hydrogels have a comprehensive performance comparable to real human skin. Here, the authors present a general method to convert traditional elastomers into tough hydrogels via a unique radiation-induced penetrating polymerization method.