The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

MXene-based hydrogels combine high electrical conductivity with exceptional mechanical flexibility, making them ideal for wearable strain sensor applications. However, their performance and long-term durability are hindered by the inevitable oxidation of MXene in water-rich hydrogel environments. To address this issue, catechol-functionalized poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA-CA) is used as the polymer matrix instead of the conventional PVA. The catechol groups in PVA-CA form strong hydrogen bonds with MXene surface, effectively reducing oxidation-prone sites and significantly enhancing the oxidation resistance of the hydrogel. The resulting PVA-CA-MXene hydrogel demonstrates excellent self-healing properties alongside robust strain sensing capabilities, enabling accurate detection of subtle motions and handwriting. Additionally, signals from the hydrogel strain sensor are analyzed using deep learning models for precise activity classification. **This was supported by Korea National University of Transportation in 2025.