High-Strength Conductive Hydrogels Based on Lignosulfonate-Modified PEDOT for Self-Powered Sensing and Energy Harvesting

Multifunctional flexible triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) offer an ideal solution for addressing the energy demands of wearable electronics. However, it remains challenging to develop flexible TENG electrode materials that simultaneously exhibit excellent flexibility and high electrical conductivity. In this work, a tough and highly conductive hydrogel (PAM/LS@PEDOT) was developed by hydrophobically associating polyacrylamide (PAM) chains using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and lauryl methacrylate (LMA), together with uniformly dispersed lignosulfonate-modified poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (LS@PEDOT) conductive fillers. The PAM/LS@PEDOT hydrogel exhibits an outstanding tensile strength of 818 kPa and a large fracture strain of 1541%, along with remarkable fatigue resistance and efficient energy dissipation under cyclic deformation. Owing to the continuous conductive pathways formed by well-dispersed LS@PEDOT, the hydrogel achieves a conductivity of 0.82 S m–1. When used as a flexible electrode in a triboelectric nanogenerator, the assembled TENG delivers an open-circuit voltage of 85 V and a maximum power density of 210.6 mW m–2. Moreover, it can power small electronic devices and enable self-powered information transmission and sensing. This work provides a valuable reference for hydrogel-based TENG in biomechanical energy harvesting and self-powered wearable electronics.