Carbon-Based Textile Sensors for Physiological-Signal Monitoring

Abstract

As the focus on physical health increases, the market demand for flexible wearable sensors increases. Textiles combined with sensitive materials and electronic circuits can form flexible, breathable high-performance sensors for physiological-signal monitoring. Carbon-based materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and carbon black (CB) have been widely utilized in the development of flexible wearable sensors due to their high electrical conductivity, low toxicity, low mass density, and easy functionalization. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in carbon-based flexible textile sensors, highlighting the development, properties, and applications of graphene, CNTs, and CB for flexible textile sensors. The physiological signals that can be monitored by carbon-based textile sensors include electrocardiogram (ECG), human body movement, pulse and respiration, body temperature, and tactile perception. We categorize and describe carbon-based textile sensors based on the physiological signals they monitor. Finally, we discuss the current challenges associated with carbon-based textile sensors and explore the future direction of textile sensors for monitoring physiological signals.

Carbon Allotrope-Based Textile Biosensors: A Patent Landscape Analysis

“…This growing trend has been confirmed in a scientific literature search published in a recent review [11] on carbon-based textile sensors. The patent protection, publication, and priority trends by country are reported in Figure 8.…”

“…This growing trend has been confirmed in a scientific literature search published in a recent review [11] on carbon-based textile sensors.…”

Textronic Solutions Used to Produce Layers Sensitive to Chemical Stimuli—Gas Sensors: A Review

“…It is also impossible to consider the functional properties that are supposed to ensure comfort of use, i.e., air permeability, moisture and aesthetic values [9]. There are several groups of active substances: conductive polymers [10], carbon-based materials on the micro-and nanoscale [11] and conductive metallic structures on the nanoscale [12].…”

Thermoelectric Properties of Cotton Fabrics Dip-Coated in Pyrolytically Stripped Pyrograf® III Carbon Nanofiber Based Aqueous Inks

“…In addition, carbon materials such as carbon black (CB), graphite, carbon fibers (CFs), etc., as well as nanomaterials such as carbon nanofibers (CNFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, etc. are largely used due to their affordability and outstanding electrical properties [ 4 , 5 ]. Unfortunately, most of them are in solid form, which makes their integration into textiles challenging.…”