

FOLLOWUS
School of Physics and Astronomy, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China
cthgqx@126.com (T.H.C.)
pyj1992263@hotmail.com (Y.J.P.)
Received:03 May 2026,
Accepted:30 May 2026,
Online First:03 August 2026,
Published:2026-07
Scan QR Code
Ye, X. Y.; He, J.; Yang, Z. W.; Chen, T. H.; Peng, Y. J. Room-temperature autocatalytic multifunctional hydrogels for triboelectric nanogenerators and self-powered sensors. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3764-9
Xin-Yu Ye, Jie He, Zhao-Wen Yang, et al. Room-temperature Autocatalytic Multifunctional Hydrogels for Triboelectric Nanogenerators and Self-powered Sensors[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-15.
Ye, X. Y.; He, J.; Yang, Z. W.; Chen, T. H.; Peng, Y. J. Room-temperature autocatalytic multifunctional hydrogels for triboelectric nanogenerators and self-powered sensors. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-026-3764-9 DOI:
Xin-Yu Ye, Jie He, Zhao-Wen Yang, et al. Room-temperature Autocatalytic Multifunctional Hydrogels for Triboelectric Nanogenerators and Self-powered Sensors[J/OL]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 441-15. DOI: 10.1007/s10118-026-3764-9.
The development of conductive hydrogels with stretchability
adhesiveness
self-healing
antibacterial and ionic conductivity is crucial for wearable electronic devices such as motion and health monitoring sensors and flexible generators. In this study
a novel multifunctional conductive hydrogel with high conductivity
excellent stretchability
antibacterial property
antifreeze and moisture retention
as well as self-healing and self-adhesive capabilities was successfully prepared by introducing the dynamic redox reaction between phenolic hydroxyl groups and Fe
3
+
through the addition of tannic acid (TA) to the acrylic acid (AA)-based hydrogel system
and the addition of LiTFSI. This material not only has good mechanical flexibility (tensile strength of 0.3048 MPa and elongation at break of 1657%)
but also stable electrical properties (conductivity of 1.47 S·m
–1
). The excellent antibacterial and self-healing properties also endow it with long-term stability in complex environments. The triboelectric nanogenerator (PTFL-TENG) constructed with this hydrogel can achieve an open-circuit voltage of approximately 100 V
wi
th excellent and stable output performance
capable of providing self-powering ability for small electronic devices and enabling signal transmission. In addition
the self-powered sensor assembled with PTFL hydrogel can respond quickly and accurately to deformation and transmit electrical signals
demonstrating high sensitivity and good repeatability. Based on its comprehensive performance
this hydrogel has broad application prospects in flexible wearable sensors
intelligent medical monitoring
and self-powered systems.
Fu, X.; Cheng, W.; Wan, G.; Yang, Z.; Tee, B. C. Toward an AI era: advances in electronic skins. Chem. Rev. 2024 , 124 , 9899−9948..
Pan, D.; Hu, J.; Wang, B.; Xia, X.; Cheng, Y.; Wang, C. H.; Lu, Y. Biomimetic wearable sensors: emerging combination of intelligence and electronics. Adv. Sci. 2024 , 11 , 2303264..
[Zhu, Y.; Zheng, S.; Qin, J.; Ma, J.; Das, P.; Zhou, F.; Wu, Z. S. 2.4 V ultrahigh-voltage aqueous MXene-based asymmetric micro-supercapacitors with high volumetric energy density toward a self-sufficient integrated microsystem. Fundam. Res . 2024, 4 , 307−314..
[Zhan, H.; Lei, Z.; Wu, P. Colossal piezoionic effect from hierarchical asymmetries in soft ionotronics. Adv. Mater . 2026, e73067..
Fan, J.; Yuan, M.; Wang, L.; Xia, Q.; Zheng, H.; Zhou, A. MXene supported by cotton fabric as electrode layer of triboelectric nanogenerators for flexible sensors. Nano Energy 2023 , 105 , 107973..
Rana, S. S.; Faruk, O.; Reza, M. S.; Islam, M. R.; Kim, H.; Park, J. Y. All porous Ecoflex and SEBS-based stretchable high-performance triboelectric nanogenerator for self-powered human activity monitoring. Chem. Eng. J. 2024 , 488 , 151050..
Rana, S. S.; Wang, Z. L. Recent advances and prospective strategies for improving the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators. Coord. Chem. Rev. 2025 , 543 , 216914..
Lu, P.; Liao, X.; Guo, X.; Cai, C.; Liu, Y.; Chi, M.; Du, G.; Wei, Z.; Meng, X.; Nie, S. Gel-based triboelectric nanogenerators for flexible sensing: principles, properties, and applications. Nano-Micro Lett. 2024 , 16 , 206..
Yang, Y.; Guo, X.; Zhu, M.; Sun, Z.; Zhang, Z.; He, T.; Lee, C. Triboelectric nanogenerator enabled wearable sensors and electronics for sustainable internet of things integrated green earth. Adv. Energy Mater. 2023 , 13 , 2203040..
Song, W. Z.; Qiu, H. J.; Zhang, J.; Yu, M.; Ramakrishna, S.; Wang, Z. L.; Long, Y. Z. Sliding mode direct current triboelectric nanogenerators. Nano Energy 2021 , 90 , 106531..
Han, S.; Hu, Y.; Wei, J.; Li, S.; Yang, P.; Mi, H.; Liu, C.; Shen, C. A semi-interpenetrating poly(ionic liquid) network-driven low hysteresis and transparent hydrogel as a self-powered multifunctional sensor. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2024 , 34 , 2401607..
He, Q.; Cheng, Y.; Deng, Y.; Wen, F.; Lai, Y.; Li, H. Conductive hydrogel for flexible bioelectronic device: current progress and future perspective. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2024 , 34 , 2308974..
Wang, C.; Ding, Y.; Wu, T.; Li, Z.; Hu, C.; Wang, Z.; Zhou, Y.; Lin, X.; Zhang, W.; Xu, J. Ionic double-network hydrogels for integrated electromagnetic shielding and self-powered sensing in wearable electronics. Adv. Sci. 2025 , 12 , e09115..
Xu, L.; Yang, Q.; Tang, L.; Li, C.; Fan, J.; Duan, T.; Li, N.; Yu, M.; Xu, J. Amphiphilic block copolymer stabilized liquid metal nanoparticles induced rapid gelation of highly conductive, adhesive, anti-fatigue hydrogel for wearable bioelectrode and self-powered sensor. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2026 , 36 , e20122..
Cui, W.; Zheng, Y.; Zhu, R.; Mu, Q.; Wang, X.; Wang, Z.; Liu, S.; Li, M.; Ran, R. Strong tough conductive hydrogels via the synergy of ion-induced cross-linking and salting-out. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2022 , 32 , 2204823..
Zhang, H.; Yang, Q.; Xu, L.; Li, N.; Tan, H.; Du, J.; Yu, M.; Xu, J. Triboelectric nanogenerators based on hydrated lithium ions incorporated double-network hydrogels for biomechanical sensing and energy harvesting at low temperature. Nano Energy 2024 , 125 , 109521..
Ma, H.; Wang, M.; Hou, J.; Wang, X.; Sun, P.; Wang, F. Strong and tough water-tolerant conductive eutectogels with phase-separated hydrophilic/hydrophobic dual ionic channels. Adv. Mater. 2025 , 37 , 2500770..
Liu, Y.; Li, W.; Cheng, L.; Liu, Q.; Wei, J.; Huang, Y. Anti-freezing strategies of electrolyte and their application in electrochemical energy devices. Chem. Rec. 2022 , 22 , e202200068..
Li, Z.; Wang, F.; Tang, J.; Ou, F.; Pan, W.; Zeng, F.; Ning, C.; Liang, Q.; Gao, W.; Zhao, S. High-performance solid-state ionic conductive elastomers via hard-phase enrichment strategy: synergistic enhancement of mechanical properties and ionic conductivity with sustainable LiTFSI recycling. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025 , 35 , 2503416..
Li, Z.; Wang, L.; Huang, X.; He, X. Lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI): a prominent lithium salt in lithium-ion battery electrolytes–fundamentals, progress, and future perspectives. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2024 , 34 , 2408319..
Geng, H.; Zhong, Q. Z.; Li, J.; Lin, Z.; Cui, J.; Caruso, F.; Hao, J. Metal ion-directed functional metal-phenolic materials. Chem. Rev. 2022 , 122 , 11432−11473..
Gong, X.; Fu, C.; Alam, N.; Ni, Y.; Chen, L.; Huang, L.; Hu, H. Preparation of hemicellulose nanoparticle-containing ionic hydrogels with high strength, self-healing, and UV resistance and their applications as strain sensors and asymmetric pressure sensors. Biomacromolecules 2022 , 23 , 2272−2279..
Hao, S.; Shao, C.; Meng, L.; Cui, C.; Xu, F.; Yang, J. Tannic acid–silver dual catalysis induced rapid polymerization of conductive hydrogel sensors with excellent stretchability, self-adhesion, and strain-sensitivity properties. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2020 , 12 , 56509−56521..
Yu, M.; Luo, Y.; Yang, Q.; Duan, T.; Tang, Z.; Xu, L.; Li, N.; Xu, J. Tough and adhesive conductive hydrogels with fast gelation from a polyphenol–al uminium ion dual self-catalysis system for wearable strain sensors and triboelectric nanogenerators. J. Mater. Chem. C 2024 , 12 , 16872−16880..
Chen, C.; Yang, H.; Yang, X.; Ma, Q. Tannic acid: a crosslinker leading to versatile functional polymeric networks: a review. RSC Adv. 2022 , 12 , 7689−7711..
Chen, Y.; Wang, D.; Mensaha, A.; Wang, Q.; Cai, Y.; Wei, Q. Ultrafast gelation of multifunctional hydrogel/composite based on self-catalytic Fe 3+ /Tannic acid-cellulose nanofibers. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2022 , 606 , 1457−1468..
Huang, P.; Zhang, H.; Zeng, H. Mussel-inspired molecular strategies for fabricating functional materials with underwater adhesion and self-healing properties. Adv. Mater. 2025 , 37 , 2501542..
Gilbert, W. J.; Safarov, J.; Minnick, D. L.; Rocha, M. A.; Hassel, E. P.; Shiflett, M. B. Density, viscosity, and vapor pressure measurements of water+ lithium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide solutions. J. Chem. Eng. Data 2017 , 62 , 2056−2066..
Xu, X.; Liu, Q.; Qiu, J.; Zhao, Q.; Yuan, S.; Li, H.; Li, Z.; Fu, A.; Xu, J.; Lu, B. Photothermal-photocatalytic bifunctional highly porous hydrogel for efficient coherent sewage purification-clean water generation. Desalination 2025 , 597 , 118364..
Yang, Y.; Ni, Y.; Wang, H.; Chen, L.; Zhu, T.; Zheng, Y.; Cheng, Y.; Lai, Y.; Tang, Y.; Cai, W. UV-induced ferric phytate access to fast gelation of conductive and anti-freezing hydrogels for cryogenic strain sensing. Chem. Eng. J. 2024 , 482 , 148847..
Zhang, W.; Chen, Y.; Huang, J.; Xiao, Z.; Wang, F.; Zhu, G.; Liao, X.; Tang, Y.; Song, Z.; Sun, J. Tannic acid: a star molecule in the construction and biomedical applications of hydrogels. Chem. Eng. J . 2025 , 525 , 170264..
Sun, X.; Mao, Y.; Yu, Z.; Yang, P.; Jiang, F. A biomimetic “salting out—alignment—locking” tactic to design strong and tough hydrogel. Adv. Mater. 2024 , 36 , 2400084..
Li, Z.; Chen, L.; Liu, F.; Liu, X. Chitosan-based hydrogels with stretchable, self-healing, self-adhesive properties for flexible sensing applications. Colloids Surf. A 2025 , 726 , 138095..
Wei, S.; Wang, X.; Yang, J.; Qin, Z.; Ma, C.; Jiang, Q.; Mo, L. Self-adhesive, stretchable, anti-freezing conductive organohydrogels with fast gelation from catechol-metal ion self-catalytic system for flexible strain sensors. Polymer 2025 , 316 , 127877..
Bello, A.; Virtanen, V.; Salminen, J.-P.; Leiviskä, T. Aminomethylation of spruce tannins and their application as coagulants for water clarification. Sep. Purif. Technol. 2020 , 242 , 116765..
Li, L.; Wang, X.; You, X.; Rao, P.; Liu, X.; Zhang, D.; Zhang, W.; Wang, W.; Xing, L.; Li, J. Super stretchable gelatin/poly (ionic liquid) hydrogel enabled by weak hydrogen bonds and microphase separation towards multifunctional and self-powered sensors. Nano Energy 2025 , 138 , 110875..
Liu, Y.; Liu, R.; Liu, H.; Li, D.; Fu, S.; Jin, K.; Cheng, Y.; Fu, Z.; Xing, F.; Tian, Y. Tough, high conductivity pectin polysaccharide-based hydrogel for strain sensing and real-time information transmission. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2024 , 257 , 128757..
Yu, X.; Huang, J.; Wu, C.; Zhang, W. Biocompatible autonomous self-healing PVA-CS/TA hydrogels based on hydr ogen bonding and electrostatic interaction. Sci. Rep. 2025 , 15 , 1893..
Ma, W.; Cui, X.; Chen, Y.; Wan, S.; Zhao, S.; Gong, J.; Wang, G.; Chen, S. Designing a refined multi-structural polymer electrolyte framework for highly stable lithium-metal batteries. Angew. Chem. 2025 , 137 , e202415617..
Ren, X.; Dou, R.; Wang, Q.; Hu, K.; Su, K.; Liu, C.; Lu, L. A biocompatible deep eutectic electrolyte enables ultra-fast charging in lithium-ion batteries. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025 , 35 , 2500464..
[Xiao, Q.; Gong, Y.; Zhou, H.; Zhang, Y.; Shen, Q.; Sun, X. Bioinspired pullulan-tannic acid hydrogels with high toughness, stretchability, adhesion and self-healing properties. Carbohydr. Polym . 2025, 124038..
Zhang, M.; Yu, R.; Tao, X.; He, Y.; Li, X.; Tian, F.; Chen, X.; Huang, W. Mechanically robust and highly conductive ionogels for soft ionotronics. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2023 , 33 , 2208083..
Zhao, Z.; Rong, Y.; Cui, P.; Qin, G.; Wang, H.; Huang, X. High elonga tion, low hysteresis, fatigue resistant gel electrolyte for supercapacitor and strain sensor. J. Power Sources 2024 , 622 , 235307..
Dong, X.; Chen, W.; Ge, X.; Li, S.; Xing, Z.; Zhang, Q.; Wang, Z. X. Stretchable, self-adhesion and durable polyacrylamide/polyvinylalcohol dual-network hydrogel for flexible supercapacitor and wearable sensor. J. Energy Storage 2024 , 89 , 111793..
Gao, J.; Li, X.; Xu, L.; Yan, M.; Bi, H.; Wang, Q. Transparent multifunctional cellulose-based conductive hydrogel for wearable strain sensors and arrays. Carbohydr. Polym. 2024 , 329 , 121784..
Zhang, R.; Ma, Q.; Zheng, N.; Wang, R.; Visentin, S.; He, L.; Liu, S. Plant polyphenol-based injectable hydrogels: advances and biomedical applications. Adv. Healthc. Mater. 2025 , 14 , 2500445..
Wang, H.; Li, X.; Jiang, Y.; Li, M.; Xiao, Q.; Zhao, T.; Yang, S.; Qi, C.; Qiu, P.; Yang, J. A universal single-atom coating strategy based on tannic acid chemistry for multifunctional heterogeneous catalysis. Angew. Chem. 2022 , 134 , e202200465..
Zhang, J.; Fu, C.; Tian, T.; Batur, S.; Lv, J.; Xie, Q.; Kong, L.; Yang, C.; Zhang, Z. In situ ultrafast self-gelling coacervate powder with antibacterial, antioxidant, and robust wet adhesion properties for hemostasis and wound healing. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2025 , 35 , 2502577..
Zhang, H.; Zhang, D.; Wang, Z.; Xi, G.; Mao, R.; Ma, Y.; Wang, D.; Tang, M.; Xu, Z.; Luan, H. Ultrastretchable, self-healing conductive hydrogel-based triboelectric nanogenerators for human–computer interaction. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2023 , 15 , 5128−5138..
Zhuo, S.; Liang, Y.; Wu, Z.; Zhao, X.; Han, Y.; Guo, B. Supramolecular hydrogels for wound repair and hemostasis. Mater. Horiz. 2024 , 11 , 37−101..
Wang, F.; Chen, C.; Wang, J.; Xu, Z.; Shi, F.; Chen, N. Facile preparation of PHEMA hydrogel induced via tannic acid-ferric ions for wearable strain sensing. Colloids Surf. A 2023 , 658 , 130591..
You, C.; Fan, W.; Xiong, X.; Yang, H.; Fu, L.; Wang, T.; Wang, F.; Zhu, Z.; He, J.; Wu, Y. Design strategies for anti-freeze electrolytes in aqueous energy storage devices at low temperatures. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2024 , 34 , 2403616 ..
Jung, S.; Choi, Y. G.; Choi, B.; Heo, S. e.; Jun, T. S.; Park, K.; Park, S.; Ryu, D. Y.; Park, J. H.; Hong, J. Boron-stabilized anisotropic water-in-polymer salt electrolyte with an exceptionally low salt concentration by Hofmeister effect for aqueous lithium-ion batteries. Small 2025 , 21 , 2502776..
Guo, J.; Sun, W.; Kim, J. P.; Lu, X.; Li, Q.; Lin, M.; Mrowczynski, O.; Rizk, E. B.; Cheng, J.; Qian, G. Development of tannin-inspired antimicrobial bioadhesives. Acta Biomater. 2018 , 72 , 35−44..
Hosseini, M.; Moghaddam, L.; Barner, L.; Cometta, S.; Hutmacher, D. W.; Savi, F. M. The multifaceted role of tannic acid: from its extraction and structure to antibacterial properties and applications. Prog. Polym. Sci. 2025 , 160 , 101908..
Wang, C.; Xin, Q.; Liang, S.; Lin, J.; Yao, B.; Yang, G. Multifunctional hydrogel with self-healing and recyclability based on self-catalytic Fe 3+ /TA system for sustainable E-skin application. Talanta 2026 , 296 , 128531..
Li, Z.; Tang, J.; Wang, X.; Wang, F.; Ou, F.; Pan, W.; Wang, C.; Xie, T.; Ning, C.; Xu, X. Bioinspired liquid-free ion-conductive elastomers with ultrahigh mechanical strength and excellent ionic conductivity for multifunctional flexible sensing applications. Adv. Sci. 2025 , 12 , 2503510..
Qin, S.; Wang, X.; Gong, H.; Li, X.; Meng, Z.; Zheng, L.; Li, N.; Wang, Z. L.; Chen, X. Ionic and adhesive triboelectric elastomer for normalizing charge polarity and density of contact electrification with general material. Sci. Adv. 2026 , 12 , eaec1580..
Tao, X.; Chen, X.; Wang, Z. L. Design and synthesis of triboelectric polymers for high performance triboelectric nanogenerators. Energy Environ. Sci. 2023 , 16 , 3654−3678..
Qin, S.; Yang, P.; Liu, Z.; Hu, J.; Li, N.; Ding, L.; Chen, X. Triboelectric sensor with ultra-wide linear range based on water-containing elastomer and ion-rich interface. Nat. Commun. 2024 , 15 , 10640..
Le, H. A. T.; Luu, T. T.; Menge, H. G.; Choi, D.; Park, Y. T. Fe3 + -coordinated chitosan-hydrogel networks for highly deformable and enhanced performance triboelectric nanogenerators. Small 2025 , 21 , e05826..
Long, K.; Luo, Y.; Hu, C.; Xu, B.; Gu, X.; Ding, Z.; Guo, S. Anti-freezing, adhesive and conductive hydrogel for flexible sensors and deep learning assisted triboelectric nanogenerators. Chem. Eng. J. 2025 , 513 , 162828..
Wang, Y.; Chen, P.; Ding, Y.; Zhu, P.; Liu, Y.; Wang, C.; Gao, C. Multifunctional nano-conductive hydrogels with high mechanical strength, toughness and fatigue resistance as self-powered wearable sensors and deep learning-assisted recognition system. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2024 , 34 , 2409081..
Xiao, Y.; Li, Z.; Xu, B. Flexible triboelectric nanogenerators based on hydrogel/g-C 3 N 4 composites for biomechanical energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2024 , 16 , 13674−13684..
Zhang, Y.; Xia, W.; Wang, D.; Jiang, Z.; Wang, X.; Dong, M.; Chen, K. Highly stretchable, self-healing, anti-freezing, and moisturizing hydrogel with efficient conductive pathways for self-powered sensing skin electronics. Chem. Eng. J . 2025 , 520 , 165986..
Liang, J.; Wang, Y.; Cheng, Z.; Liu, D.; Gao, Z.; Wang, B.; Guo, H.; Lu, Z.; Lang, D.; Ma o, Y. Self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator based on multi-network conductive hydrogel for kinetic chain monitoring in badminton. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2026 , 18 , 20788−20798.
Xiang, H.; Peng, L.; Yang, Q.; Wang, Z. L.; Cao, X. Triboelectric nanogenerator for high-entropy energy, self-powered sensors, and popular education. Sci. Adv. 2024 , 10 , eads2291..
0
Views
0
Downloads
0
CSCD
Publicity Resources
Related Articles
Related Author
Related Institution
京公网安备11010802046900号