Double Hydrogen-bonding Reinforced High-Performance Supramolecular Hydrogel Thermocell for Self-powered Sensing Remote-Controlled by Light

Non-contact human-machine interaction is the future trend for wearable technologies. This demand is recently highlighted by the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Herein, an anti-fatigue and highly conductive hydrogel thermocell with photo-thermal conversion ability for non-contact self-powering applications is designed. Double hydrogen-bonding enhanced supramolecular hydrogel is obtained with N-acryloyl glycinamide (NAGA) and diacrylate capped Pluronic F68 (F68-DA) via one-step photo-initiated polymerization. The supramolecular hydrogel can accommodate saturated electrolytes to fulfill the triple function of ionic crosslinking, heat-to-electricity conversion, and light response of thermocell. Eminently, the thermocell stands out by virtue of its high seebeck coefficient (-2.17 mV K-1) and extraordinary toughness (Fatigue threshold approximate to 3120 J m(-2)). The self-powering ability under the control of light heating is explored, and a model of a non-contact "light-remoted" sensor with self-powered and sensing integrated performance remote-controlled by light is constructed. It is believed that this study will pave the way for the non-contact energy supply of wearable devices.