Flexible pressure sensors are increasingly sought after
for applications
ranging from physiological signal monitoring to robotic sensing; however,
the challenges associated with fabricating highly sensitive, comfortable,
and cost-effective sensors remain formidable. This study presents
a high-performance, all-fabric capacitive pressure sensor (AFCPS)
that incorporates piezoelectric nanofibers. Through the meticulous
optimization of conductive fiber electrodes and P(VDF-TrFE) nanofiber
dielectric layers, the AFCPS exhibits exceptional attributes such
as high sensitivity (4.05 kPa–1), an ultralow detection
limit (0.6 Pa), an extensive detection range (∼100 kPa), rapid
response time (<26 ms), and robust stability (>14,000 cycles).
The sensor’s porous structure enhances its compressibility,
while its piezoelectric properties expedite charge separation, thereby
increasing the interface capacitance and augmenting overall performance.
These features are elucidated further through multiphysical field-coupling
simulations and experimental testing. Owing to its comprehensive superior
performance, the AFCPS has demonstrated its efficacy in monitoring
human activity and physiological signals, as well as in discerning
soft robotic grasping movements. Additionally, we have successfully
implemented multiple AFCPS units as pressure sensor arrays to ascertain
spatial pressure distribution and enable intelligent robotic gripping.
Our research underscores the promising potential of the AFCPS device
in wearable electronics and robotic sensing, thereby contributing
significantly to the advancement of high-performance fabric-based
sensors.