Emulsion-engineered polylactide-based polyurethane/MXene films for high-performance flexible and biointegrated wearable sensors
Abstract
) through emulsion-assisted processing. Using virgin PLA as a controlled model feedstock, the polymer was depolymerized into hydroxyl-terminated oligomers via microwave-assisted alcohol-acidolysis and employed as polyol precursors for PU synthesis. Emulsification of PLA-PU and MXene with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as a compatibilizer yielded hybrid films with superior MXene dispersion and lower percolation thresholds (≤10 wt %) compared to solution-cast films (≥40 wt %). The 6:4 and 7:3 PLA-PU/MXene/PVA films offered an optimal balance of tensile strength and flexibility. The films exhibited sensitive, reproducible responses to macro- (finger bending) and micro-strains (vocal/laryngeal vibrations). The study advances PLA upcycling into high-performance electronic materials derived from biocompatible precursors for next-generation health monitoring and bio-integrated systems.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
MXene and MAX Phase Materials
Electromagnetic wave absorption materials
Publication details
- Journal / source
- iScience
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 114652–114652
- Publication date
- 8 January 2026
- Language
- EN