The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Conductive hydrogels have garnered increasing attention in bioelectronics due to their unique combination of electrical conductivity and mechanical compliance. MXene, a 2D nanomaterial, stands out for its high conductivity, excellent aqueous dispersibility, and abundant surface functional groups. However, incorporating high loadings of MXene into hydrogels remains challenging, as it can inhibit polymerization, hindering the formation of polymer networks at an early stage. Here, we present a Hofmeister ion-assisted strategy to fabricate MXene-loaded physical hydrogels with uniform dispersion. To achieve underwater adhesion, a catechol-functionalized copolymer was synthesized and integrated into the hydrogel system. The MXene/Poly(SBVI-co-DMA) zwitterionic hydrogels exhibit electrochemical conductivity and viscoelastic mechanical properties resembling those of biological tissues, offering strong potential for bioelectronic applications.