Printable, self-healing and recyclable PEDOT:PSS/polyurethane composites for durable bioelectronics
Abstract
), high stretchability (>650%), strong self-adhesion, and stable performance under repeated deformation. Importantly, the material supports both mechanical reuse and chemical recycling over at least 15 cycles, retaining more than 90% of its mechanical strength and fully recovering its electrical conductivity. Mechanistic investigations reveal that reversible disulfide exchange and hydrogen bond reformation govern rapid network reorganization and efficient self-repair. Printed electronic tattoos and free-standing electrodes fabricated from this composite deliver low-impedance and high-fidelity electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings. Together, these results establish a sustainable and versatile materials platform that advances self-healing conductors beyond superficial damage, providing a practical pathway toward durable and recyclable bioelectronic materials and devices.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Polymer composites and self-healing
Conducting polymers and applications
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Materials Horizons
- Publisher
- Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 13
- Pages
- 6517–6531
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN