The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Conductive hydrogels have garnered increasing attention in bioelectronics due to their unique combination of electrical conductivity and mechanical compliance. MXene, a 2D nanomaterial, stands out for its high conductivity, excellent aqueous dispersibility, and abundant surface functional groups. However, incorporating high loadings of MXene into hydrogels remains challenging, as it can significantly inhibit polymerization, hindering the formation of polymer networks at an early stage. Here, we present a Hofmeister ion-assisted strategy to fabricate MXene-loaded physical hydrogels with uniform dispersion and high filler content. This approach enables the formation of a homogeneous polymer matrix that accommodates elevated MXene concentrations. The resulting MXene/Poly(SBVI) zwitterionic hydrogels exhibit high electrical conductivity and viscoelastic mechanical properties resembling those of biological tissues, offering strong potential for implantable bioelectronic applications.