Water-rich hydrogels with tissue softness, especially ionic conductive hydrogels with ion signal transmission system similar to that in biological field, are promising soft electrode materials, but the introduction of high concentration leads to uncontrollable swelling and biocompatibility problems, resulting in poor or unstable mechanical properties. Ion is a serious obstacle in practical application.

Figure 1 Schematic diagram of manufacturing ABCH. The suspension rich in nanofibers obtained from the controlled dissolution of BC is chemically crosslinked, and the obtained BCG is stretched to arrange nanofibers, and then subjected to petrochemical treatment. The obtained BC xerogel was soaked in water to construct ABCH.

Recently, the research team of Donghua University reported for the first time a simple method to prepare a firm, stable, ionically conductive and anisotropic bacterial cellulose hydrogel (ABCH). Based on the high aspect ratio nanofibers in bacterial cellulose, a customized nanofiber network reinforcement structure was constructed by controlled dissolution, and then they were arranged well under tension through a simple petrochemical process. Therefore, adjustable high mechanical properties can be obtained, the maximum tensile strength can reach 14.3 MPa, and the water content is 70%. It is worth noting that ABCHs does not swell in water for 30 days and maintains 93% tensile strength. Most importantly, the unique nanofluidic behavior of nanochannels in nanofibers only allows for dependence on low concentration ions in body fluids (

The related paper was published on the nanometer scale, entitled "Anisotropic bacterial cellulose hydrogel with adjustable mechanical properties, non-swelling and bionic nanofluid transport behavior". Correspondents are Jin Se Yeon and Professor Wang Huaping, associate researchers of Donghua University.

References:

doi.org/ 10. 1039/D 1NR00867F