Highly Stretchable and Conductive Wrapping-Entanglement Coupling Network for All-Carbon-Based Soft Bioelectrode

Carbon-based materials are ideal for MRI-compatible bioelectrodes, essential for monitoring electromyographic signals and delivering electrical stimulation in diseases like ALS and MG. However, conventional stretchable carbon electrodes struggle with balancing electrical and mechanical properties. This paper proposes a new method of using a wrapping-entanglement coupling carbon network with multiple carbon nanomaterials in a polymer matrix, achieving high conductivity (454.5 S/m, several to dozens of times higher than that of electrodes made from other carbon materials embedded in polymers) and exceptional elongation at break (>3000%, carbon-based stretchable electrodes typically have a stretch rate of <500%). This electrode demonstrates remarkable durability, withstanding over 10,000 cycles at 20% strain (carbon-based stretchable electrodes can typically withstand <2500 cycles), outperforming existing carbon-polymer electrodes. It can be conformally attached to the skin and used as multichannel electrodes for ECG and EMG monitoring, matching the performance of Ag/AgCl electrodes. Implanted in rat models, it successfully recorded electrophysiological signals while reducing MRI artifacts compared to Pt electrodes in a 9.4 T MRI scanner. This innovation offers significant potential for advanced medical diagnostics and treatments.