Advancing bio-sensing technology: developing high-performance PVA-HEC hydrogels for innovative applications

Abstract Hydrogel-based strain sensors are attracting significant attention for their exceptional mechanical properties and sensing capabilities, particularly in liquid environments. In this study, the synergistic combination of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) produced hydrogels with remarkable mechanical performance—featuring a UTS (Ultimate Tensile Strength) of 0.201 MPa, 316.41% elongation at break, and a toughness of 0.26157 MJ/m 3 —making them ideal for next-generation wearable sensors. The PVA/HEC hydrogel also exhibited excellent electrical performance, with a relative resistance increase of up to 3.2 times the initial resistance at 200% strain, a hysteresis degree of 0.599, and impressive durability across 500 cycles. When applied to body joints, it accurately captured resistance signals during movement, highlighting its vast potential for wearable technology. This breakthrough hydrogel composition demonstrates extraordinary mechanical resilience and sensing precision, positioning it as a transformative material for bio-sensing applications.