Design strategies for environmentally friendly polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel sensors: Research progress and Perspectives

The design strategy of environmentally friendly polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel sensors is a current research focus in sensor technology. This paper briefly reviews the research progress in this field and looks forward to the future development directions. Firstly, it introduces the advantages of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel as a sensor material, highlighting its biocompatibility and preparation methods. The paper also discusses the design strategies of these sensors, including the preparation of multifunctional flexible sensors by incorporating various bio-soluble materials. Additionally, it explores the potential application areas of future environmentally friendly polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel sensors. Finally, the paper presents insights on the challenges ahead in developing biocompatible hydrogel sensors, aiming to pave the way for a new generation of green flexible sensors with diverse capabilities. [Display omitted] •The design strategy of eco-friendly PVA hydrogel sensors was introduced.•The biocompatibility and preparation methods of PVA hydrogel were discussed.•The paper presents insights on the challenges ahead in developing hydrogel sensors.