MXene Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube/PEDOT:PSS Textile Electrodes for Gel-Free Biopotential Monitoring

Developing flexible, skin-conformal, and gel-free electrodes is crucial for advancing wearable healthcare technologies. Recording weak biopotential signals, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an electromyogram (EMG), is challenging, especially when textiles are used as electrodes, as they often suffer from high skin–electrode impedance and signal instability. Here, we introduce a multifunctional MXene single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composite-based textile electrode reinforced with a PEDOT:PSS coating, which enables efficient and reliable acquisition of biopotential signals. The composite was prepared using a facile mechanical mixing approach and integrated onto a cotton substrate, where poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) served as a binder to ensure coating stability and prevent residue transfer. The synergistic architecture of MXene and SWCNT provided enhanced electrical and mechanical properties, improved charge transport, and a more effective surface area. Meanwhile, the PEDOT:PSS overlayer significantly reduced the skin–electrode impedance and improved signal quality. The resulting MXene-SWCNT-PEDOT:PSS (MSP-C) electrode exhibited lower impedance than commercial wet Ag/AgCl electrodes in the 20–1000 Hz frequency range and a better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Moreover, the electrode effectively captured EMG signals corresponding to both low- and high-intensity muscle contractions. This work presents a scalable and facile strategy for developing stable, reusable, and high-performance textile electrodes for next-generation wearable biopotential monitoring applications, thereby offering enhanced user comfort and long-term usability.