Hyperbranched Macromolecular Physical Crosslinker-Based Dual Crosslinked-Network Conductive Hydrogel as a Sensitive and Highly Stretchable Strain Sensor with Improved Mechanical Properties

Hydrogels are often limited in their applications due to their inherently weak mechanical properties. In this study, a carboxyl-functionalized hyperbranched polymer (HPEHO-star-PAA) was synthesized and used as a macromolecular physical cross-linker to enhance the mechanical properties of conductive hydrogels. Fe3+–carboxyl complexes were incorporated into the P(AAm-co-AA)/HPEHO-star-PAA hydrogel to form a dual cross-linked network structure. The cross-linker N,N′methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA) wa