Highly anisotropic and fast-response wood-based electronic skin efficiently constructed via cell wall nanoengineering

In this study, a highly anisotropic and fast-response wood-based electronic skin（wood-based e-skin）was successfully designed and constructed via cell wall nanoengineering for efficiently monitoring dynamic changes in human motion. Through cell wall nanoengineering, the wood cell walls were selectively hydrolyzed to remove hemicellulose and lignin, thereby constructing a wood-based cellulose skeleton with oriented structures. Subsequently, hydrophilic groups such as hydroxyl (-OH) and carboxyl (-COOH) in the wood-based cellulose were bonded with potassium ions (K⁺) and sulfonate ions (SO₃²⁻) in 3-sulfopropyl acrylate potassium salt (SPA) via hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds, yielding a wood-based e-skin with a multiscale composite cross-linked network structure. Compared with traditional electronic skins, the wood-based e-skin exhibits excellent mechanical properties, fast responsiveness, and multidimensional deformation capabilities, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Its longitudinal tensile strength reaches 6.79 MPa, and the elastic modulus is 98.61 MPa, remaining stable even under 80 % tensile strain. Additionally, it demonstrates outstanding mechanical durability under 25 % strain and 300 cycles, along with a fast response capability of 1190 ms, enabling precise recording of human motion frequencies. This synthetic strategy based on cell wall nanoengineering not only significantly improves preparation efficiency but also brings new breakthroughs to the field of flexible sensors. • The wood-based e-skin has a tensile strength of 6.79 MPa and modulus of 98.61 MPa. • It maintains stability under 80 % strain and 300 cycles at 25 % strain. • Responds in 1190 ms, accurately records movement frequency, due to great elasticity. • Wood-based e-skin with simple cell wall nanoengineering and easy preparation.