Stretchable MXene/Carbon Nanotube Bilayer Strain Sensors with Tunable Sensitivity and Working Ranges

Abstract

Stretchable strain sensors have gained increasing popularity as wearable devices to convert mechanical deformation of the human body into electrical signals. Two-dimensional transition metal carbides (Ti3C2T x MXene) are promising candidates to achieve excellent sensitivity. However, MXene films have been limited in operating strain ranges due to rapid crack propagation during stretching. In this regard, this study reports MXene/carbon nanotube bilayer films with tunable sensitivity and working ranges. The device is fabricated using a scalable process involving spray deposition of well-dispersed nanomaterial inks. The bilayer sensor’s high sensitivity is attributed to the cracks that form in the MXene film, while the compliant carbon nanotube layer extends the working range by maintaining conductive pathways. Moreover, the response of the sensor is easily controlled by tuning the MXene loading, achieving a gauge factor of 9039 within 15% strain at 1.92 mg/cm2 and a gauge factor of 1443 within 108% strain at 0.55 mg/cm2. These tailored properties can precisely match the operation requirements during the wearable application, providing accurate monitoring of various body movements and physiological activities. Additionally, a smart glove with multiple integrated strain sensors is demonstrated as a human–machine interface for the real-time recognition of hand gestures based on a machine-learning algorithm. The design strategy presented here provides a convenient avenue to modulate strain sensors for targeted applications.