High-Sensitivity Microchannel-Structured Collagen Fiber-Based Sensors with Antibacterial and Hydrophobic Properties

Abstract

Wearable sensors have become significant for collecting motion and health information. It is urgent to develop high-sensitivity sensors that can be used in various complex environments. Herein, we prepare an antibacterial and superhydrophobic 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (FAS)-cross-linked collagen fibers/MXene/Ag nanoparticles (FCMA) aerogel sensor. Benefiting from the microchannel structure of the FCMA aerogel, the sensor achieved high sensitivity (168.44 kPa–1) and fast response (0.2 s) and recovery (0.1 s). Meanwhile, the sensor can stably detect tiny physiological signals and large movements of human body. Importantly, owing to the low surface energy of FAS, the FCMA aerogel shows superhydrophobic and antifouling properties for application in damp or rainy conditions. The antiadhesion of superhydrophobic surface and the bactericidal effects of Ag nanoparticles make the sensor possess good antibacterial and antifungal activities, which can effectively prevent bacterial/fungi growth and protect human health. Therefore, the flexible and multifunctional FCMA aerogel sensor has versatile and promising applications in wide areas.

Flexible Sensors with Robust Wear-Resistant and Sensing Ability: Insight on the Microcrack Structure, Multiple Interfacial Bonds, and Possible Sensing Mechanisms

“…The ongoing use of flexible and wearable sensors has engineered sensing materials toward emergent applications, such as human health monitoring, artificial electronic skin, human–machine interactions, speech recognition systems, soft-bodied robots, and so forth. − What makes these materials more adaptable is their suitable substrate and high conductivity that can detect stimuli such as strain, pressure, humidity, and temperature in an ambient environment. For these reasons, various flexible strain/pressure sensors have been developed based on different sensing mechanisms, including triboelectric, piezoelectric, capacitive, and piezoresistive sensing. − The piezoresistive strain/pressure sensor converts external mechanical signals into measurable electrical signals.…”

Sustainable Collagen Blends with Different Ionic Liquids for Resistive Touch Sensing Applications

“…In terms of green chemistry, the primary goal of green techniques and technologies is to reduce the adverse effects of contaminants on the environment and living beings. In this context, although there are studies based on collagen for pressure sensing applications, the chemicals used in the processing of those composites are highly polluting to the environment. − Specifically, Ma et al prepared high-sensitivity microchannel-structured collagen fiber-based sensors where glutaraldehyde, Ag NPs, and HCl were used as a cross-linking agent, a filler, and a solvent, respectively. In this context, while it is true that some ionic liquids such as [EMIM]­[TFSI] and [Ch]­[TFSI] are toxic to some extent and nonbiodegradable, due to [EMIM] + , [TFSI] − ions, the so-called bio-IL [Ch]­[DHP] and [Ch]­[Seri] were prepared using a green channel as sustainable, nontoxic, and biodegradable ILs …”

Wearable Aerogels for Personal Thermal Management and Smart Devices

“…Additionally, the hydrogel sensor showed high sensitivity (170 kPa −1 ), almost 4 orders of magnitude higher than that of lignin-functionalized PAM hydrogels. 229 Besides acting as single pressure sensors, aerogels can perform multiple other functions, such as energy storage, 230 antibacterial, 231 health monitoring, 232,233 and fire warning. 234 An elastic carbon aerogel derived from CNFs and lignin was reported, which featured a tracheid-like structure.…”