A Recyclable, Re-Processable Stretchable Conductive Polymer Complex Exhibiting Repeatable Autonomous Self-Healing

E-skins and wearable strain sensors are essential for the realization of applications in the broad fields of sensing, soft robotics, and immersive gaming, among many others. These flexible materials can be safely and comfortably adhered to the skin and capable of monitoring human motions with high accuracy, as well as exhibiting excellent durability. However, it is challenging to develop electronic materials that possess the properties of skin. compliant, elastic, stretchable, and self-healable. This work demonstrates a low-energy processing method of producing a polymer complex composed of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid), polyaniline, and phytic acid (a transient, plant-based small molecule dopant) for electronic polymer materials. It exhibits ultrahigh stretchability (1935%), repeatable autonomous self-healing ability and linear response to flexion bending, outperforming many current reported wearable strain sensors. Most importantly, the material is recyclable and re-processable, allowing one synthesis to produce a long-lasting lifetime of the sensor material.