Eco-Friendly Conductive Hydrogels: Towards Green Wearable Electronics

The rapid advancement of wearable electronics has catalyzed the development of flexible, lightweight, and highly conductive materials. Among these, conductive hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates due to their tissue-like properties, which can minimize the mechanical mismatch between flexib...

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Main Authors: José María Calderón Moreno, Mariana Chelu, Monica Popa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Gels
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/4/220
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author José María Calderón Moreno
Mariana Chelu
Monica Popa
author_facet José María Calderón Moreno
Mariana Chelu
Monica Popa
author_sort José María Calderón Moreno
collection DOAJ
description The rapid advancement of wearable electronics has catalyzed the development of flexible, lightweight, and highly conductive materials. Among these, conductive hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates due to their tissue-like properties, which can minimize the mechanical mismatch between flexible devices and biological tissues and excellent electrical conductivity, stretchability and biocompatibility. However, the environmental impact of synthetic components and production processes in conventional conductive hydrogels poses significant challenges to their sustainable application. This review explores recent advances in eco-friendly conductive hydrogels used in healthcare, focusing on their design, fabrication, and applications in green wearable electronics. Emphasis is placed on the use of natural polymers, bio-based crosslinkers, and green synthesis methods to improve sustainability while maintaining high performance. We discuss the incorporation of conductive polymers and carbon-based nanomaterials into environmentally benign matrices. Additionally, the article highlights strategies for improving the biodegradability, recyclability, and energy efficiency of these materials. By addressing current limitations and future opportunities, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of environmentally friendly conductive hydrogels as a basis for the next generation of sustainable wearable technologies.
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spelling doaj-art-944bb6a1030b4e4aa96c14a8ff3ac2782025-08-20T03:13:47ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-03-0111422010.3390/gels11040220Eco-Friendly Conductive Hydrogels: Towards Green Wearable ElectronicsJosé María Calderón Moreno0Mariana Chelu1Monica Popa2“Ilie Murgulescu” Institute of Physical Chemistry, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania“Ilie Murgulescu” Institute of Physical Chemistry, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, Romania“Ilie Murgulescu” Institute of Physical Chemistry, 202 Splaiul Independentei, 060021 Bucharest, RomaniaThe rapid advancement of wearable electronics has catalyzed the development of flexible, lightweight, and highly conductive materials. Among these, conductive hydrogels have emerged as promising candidates due to their tissue-like properties, which can minimize the mechanical mismatch between flexible devices and biological tissues and excellent electrical conductivity, stretchability and biocompatibility. However, the environmental impact of synthetic components and production processes in conventional conductive hydrogels poses significant challenges to their sustainable application. This review explores recent advances in eco-friendly conductive hydrogels used in healthcare, focusing on their design, fabrication, and applications in green wearable electronics. Emphasis is placed on the use of natural polymers, bio-based crosslinkers, and green synthesis methods to improve sustainability while maintaining high performance. We discuss the incorporation of conductive polymers and carbon-based nanomaterials into environmentally benign matrices. Additionally, the article highlights strategies for improving the biodegradability, recyclability, and energy efficiency of these materials. By addressing current limitations and future opportunities, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of environmentally friendly conductive hydrogels as a basis for the next generation of sustainable wearable technologies.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/4/220eco-friendly conductive hydrogelsbiomedical wearable hydrogelssustainable materialsbiodegradable conductive polymersgreen synthesissmart materials
spellingShingle José María Calderón Moreno
Mariana Chelu
Monica Popa
Eco-Friendly Conductive Hydrogels: Towards Green Wearable Electronics
Gels
eco-friendly conductive hydrogels
biomedical wearable hydrogels
sustainable materials
biodegradable conductive polymers
green synthesis
smart materials
title Eco-Friendly Conductive Hydrogels: Towards Green Wearable Electronics
title_full Eco-Friendly Conductive Hydrogels: Towards Green Wearable Electronics
title_fullStr Eco-Friendly Conductive Hydrogels: Towards Green Wearable Electronics
title_full_unstemmed Eco-Friendly Conductive Hydrogels: Towards Green Wearable Electronics
title_short Eco-Friendly Conductive Hydrogels: Towards Green Wearable Electronics
title_sort eco friendly conductive hydrogels towards green wearable electronics
topic eco-friendly conductive hydrogels
biomedical wearable hydrogels
sustainable materials
biodegradable conductive polymers
green synthesis
smart materials
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/4/220
work_keys_str_mv AT josemariacalderonmoreno ecofriendlyconductivehydrogelstowardsgreenwearableelectronics
AT marianachelu ecofriendlyconductivehydrogelstowardsgreenwearableelectronics
AT monicapopa ecofriendlyconductivehydrogelstowardsgreenwearableelectronics