Physically crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol, phytic acid and glycerol hydrogels for wearable sensors with biocompatibility, antimicrobial stability and anti-freezing

Portable, miniaturized, intelligent and flexible electronic devices are more and more widely used in life areas. Conductive hydrogels with remarkable ion transport capabilities and tunable mechanical properties could be emerging materials for sensing devices. However, most of conductive hydrogels do not have antimicrobial activity, leading to microbial infections for human. Herein, a hydrogel with noteworthy biocompatibility, antimicrobial stability, anti-freezing, and anti-fatigue properties was designed and developed by introducing polyvinyl alcohol, phytic acid, and glycerol. Phytic acid and PVA formed hydrogen bonds by physically cross-linking, improving the fatigue resistance and toughness of the hydrogel. The hydrogel exhibited bacteriostatic zone against for Escherichia coli as well as Bacillus subtilis, and displayed antibacterial stability within 7 days. Hydrogels appeared distinguished biocompatibility due to the absence of allergic reactions in mouse subcutaneous tissue within 14 days. Hydrogels as sensors could monitor deformational movements such as speech and joint bending. Thus, hydrogels have the potential to be used as antimicrobial materials in medical applications such as implantable sensors and clinical information interventions.