The present investigation aims to develop hydrogels with higher mechanical stability for triboelectric applications by adopting a simple method to fabricate a graphene oxide (GO) incorporated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite hydrogel.

Carpenter waste has been used as a raw material for synthesizing microcrystalline cellulose through various chemical pre-treatment process sequences. Carpenter waste treated with 10% (w/v) sodium hydroxide followed by various concentration of sodium chlorite (0.5%, 0.7%, and 1.0%) treatment has resulted in substantial loss in weight. The synthesized microcrystalline cellulose has been characterized by different instrumental analysis. FT-IR data showed the successful removal of hemicellulose and lignin from the carpenter waste after various chemical treatments. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction analysis is done to measure the crystallinity index and crystal size of the synthesized microcrystalline cellulose. The microcrystalline cellulose produced under different concentrations of sodium chlorite exhibits crystallinity index in the range of 67.56 to 68.85 and calculated average crystal size within the range of 6.47–6.60 nm. The calculated average particle size of microcrystalline cellulose ranges from 96.42 to 437.83 nm depending on the treatment conditions. Higher concentration of sodium chlorite treatment has led to lowering the particle size. Scanning Electron Microscopic image of microcrystalline cellulose shows curled and soft-flat shaped with rough pits and fibrillated network structure. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis reveals the cylindrical rod-shaped morphology and porous structure of the synthesized microcrystalline cellulose from carpenter waste.

The current study focuses on the manufacturing and characterization of various forms of Ecoflex and their composites to improve the mechanical properties and surface texture, specifically for use in wearable sensors and electronic skin applications. Various types of Ecoflex elastomers were mixed to form blended composite materials, which could be used to tune the mechanical properties. Experimental and simulation methods were conducted to understand the mechanical behavior and material properties of the manufactured samples under large deformation (1200% strain) by various dynamic loading conditions. Further, the surface conditions of specimens were analyzed and evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and contact angle goniometer. The Yeoh model reasonably predicts the viscoelastic and hysteresis behavior of Ecoflex and its composites in accordance with the experimental data for small and large strain. The surface smoothness and moisture-resistant properties of the material surface were enhanced up to a contact angle of 127° (maximum) by adding x = 15 wt% of surface tension diffusers, with a slight compromise in stretchability. This comprehensive investigation and database of Ecoflex–Ecoflex composite can guide and help researchers in selecting and applying the most appropriate Ecoflex/blended solutions for a specific application, while providing insight into the mechanics of materials of blended materials.