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Hydrophobic Eutectogels Reinforced by Zn2+-Coordinated Lignin Nanoparticles for Underwater Wearable Electronics

delete2026-08-03
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OA
AI
F
Fuyuan Lu
D
Dan Sun *
W
Wei He
M
Meng Li
Z
Zhengjun Shi
Y
Yiqiang Wu
S
Shao-Fei Sun *
C
Changyou Shao *
R
Runcang Sun *
DOI:10.1007/s40820-026-02302-9delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Wearable flexible sensors for underwater communication and biomotion monitoring are gaining attention. However, developing gel-based strain sensors with high toughness, anti-swelling performance, robust underwater adhesion, and long-term stability remains challenging. Herein, we present a hydrophobic eutectogel (DPF-Zn@LNP-HEG) fabricated via the assembly of a polymerizable hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (PHDES), 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate (PEA), and Zn2+-coordinated lignin nanoparticles (Zn@LNP). The resulting structure, composed of hydrophobic polymer networks and metal-phenolic complexes, forms hydrophobic microdomains that disrupt the hydration layer and prevent water penetration. Meanwhile, Zn@LNP serve as dynamic sacrificial cross-linkers, enhancing the material’s mechanical strength, energy dissipation, and anti-swelling properties. The resulting eutectogel exhibits remarkable tensile strength (1.14 MPa), superior toughness (3.15 MJ m−3), excellent anti-swelling properties (< 1% after 30 days), and robust underwater adhesion (1.07 MPa on glass). Based on these properties, we demonstrate an underwater strain sensor with high sensitivity (gauge factor = 8.12) and long-term stability, enabling underwater Morse code transmission, biomotion monitoring, and Bluetooth-based tracking of swimming movements. This work not only provides a versatile design paradigm for multifunctional underwater sensing platforms but also advances the high-value utilization of bio-based materials in next-generation flexible electronics.
Keywords:
Lignin nanoparticles
Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents
Underwater adhesion
Underwater communication
Biological motion detection

Journal

Nano-Micro Letters cover
Nano-Micro Letters
IF:
36.3
Papers:
2.6K
Citations:
3.6W

Organization

C
College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering
Scholars:
101
Papers: 35
Citations: 0
C
College of Materials Science and Engineering
Scholars:
1.4K
Papers: 393
Citations: 0
C
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