High Tensile, Antibacterial, and Conductive Hydrogel Sensor with Multiple Cross-Linked Networks Based on PVA/Sodium Alginate/Zinc Oxide

Hydrogel sensors have attracted a lot of attention due to their great significance for biosensors and human detection, especially their antibacterial properties when in direct contact with the human body. However, it is challenging to improve mechanical and antibacterial performance simultaneously. In this study, by using ultrasonic dispersion technology to attach zinc oxide to cellulose and adding sodium alginate, a multiple cross-linking network is generated, which effectively solves this problem. The proposed poly(vinyl alcohol)/sodium alginate/zinc oxide/hydrogel sensor exhibits not only excellent biocompatibility but also high tensile properties (strain above 2000%). Besides, the sensor also has an antibacterial function (against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). The hydrogel acts as a strain sensor and biosensor; it can also be used as a human health detection sensor; its high tensile properties can detect large tensile deformation and small changes in force, such as finger bending, knee bending, and other joint movements, and can also be used as a sound detection sensor to detect speech and breathing. This study provides a simple method to prepare hydrogel sensors that can be useful for human health detection and biosensor development.