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Research Article | Open Access

Soft Science

Cheng et al. Soft Sci. 2026, 6, 36 DOI:10.20517/ss.2025.123

Dual-function core-shell nanocube probes enabling
continuous production of cortisol-sensing yarns via
conjugate electrospinning

Jiang Cheng, Naihui Hou, Tengda Wang, Zhenyun Zhao * , Wei Chen *

Keywords:
Invasive cortisol sensing,
dual-function core-shell
NiHCF-MIP nanocubes,
scalable conjugate
electrospinning technique,
flexible wearable sensing
yarns

Citation: Cheng, J.; Hou, N.;
Wang, T.; Zhao, Z.; Chen, W.
Dual-function core-shell
nanocube probes enabling
continuous production of
cortisol-sensing yarns via
conjugate electrospinning.
Soft Sci. 2026, 6, 36.
https://dx.doi.org/10.20517
/ss.2025.123
Abstract
Received: 30 Nov 2025 With the growing global burden of chronic stress, there is an increasing need for real-time,
First Decision: 26 Jan non-invasive monitoring of cortisol dynamics. Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based
2026 sensing technology is known for its cost-effectiveness and low susceptibility to
Revised: 21 Mar 2026
Accepted: 23 Apr 2026 deactivation. Current invasive MIP-based cortisol sensors face fundamental requirements
Published: 13 May 2026 for improving sensitivity and widening the detection range. In addition, they encounter
challenges in improving wearability and portability, as well as in developing commercially
Academic Editor: viable techniques. This work designs dual-function core-shell nickel hexacyanoferrate-MIP
Xinge Yu
Copy Editor: nanocubes (NiHCF-MIP NCs) and accordingly proposes a one-step conjugate
Xing-Yue Zhang electrospinning technique to yield coaxial cortisol-sensing yarns. The core-shell
Production Editor: architecture effectively integrates the redox signal transduction capability of NiHCF with
Xing-Yue Zhang
the cortisol-specific recognition function of MIP, enabling a continuous one-step
fabrication process. The utilization of conjugate electrospinning technology not only
supports scalable manufacturing but also creates a coaxial yarn structure that combines
the advantages of the spun nanofiber network cortex and core threads. The as-produced
yarns simultaneously possess high conductivity, flexibility, wearability, and rapid body fluid

National Engineering Lab for Textile Fiber Materials and Processing Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang
Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China.

* Correspondence to: Dr. Zhenyun Zhao, Prof. Wei Chen, National Engineering Lab for Textile Fiber Materials and Processing Technology,
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, Zhejiang, China. E-mail:
zhaozhenyun@zstu.edu.cn; wchen@zstu.edu.cn

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