Multifunctional, Ultra‐Tough Organohydrogel E‐Skin Reinforced by Hierarchical Goatskin Fibers Skeleton for Energy Harvesting and Self‐Powered Monitoring

Abstract

AbstractE‐skins based on conductive hydrogels are regarded as ideal candidates for sensing application. However, limited by the constructed materials and strategies, the current conductive hydrogels have poor mechanical properties, single function, and unsatisfactory conductivity, which seriously hinder their development and application. Herein, the natural goatskin with hierarchical 3D network structure weaved by collagen fibers is used as the substrate material for the construction of ultra‐tough hydrogel through a “top‐down” strategy, in which acrylic acid monomer is first vacuum‐impregnated into the interstices of goatskin fibers skeleton and is then polymerized in situ to produce the skin‐based hydrogel with unique 3D wrapping structure. Based on the skin‐based hydrogel, a substrate with load‐carrying capacity, after loaded with a new multifunctional nanoscale‐conductive medium nanosilver particles (AgNPs) and 1,3‐propanediol, a goatskin‐derived multifunctional organohydrogel S@HCP is constructed with excellent mechanical properties, self‐adhesion, transparency, ultraviolet shielding, antibacterial, biocompatibility, environmental stability, and conductivity. Notably, the stretchable S‐TENG assembled using S@HCP can be perfectly suited for real‐life applications including biomechanical energy harvesting, self‐powered tactile‐sensing, and motion monitoring. It is believed that, by combining natural animal skin with different functional materials, it is possible to reuse animal skin, “dead skin,” which provides a new platform for developing multifunctional flexible e‐skin.