Ultrasensitive Wearable Pressure Sensors Assembled by Surface-Patterned Polyolefin Elastomer Nanofiber Membrane Interpenetrated with Silver Nanowires

Abstract

Wearable pressure sensors with ultrahigh sensitivity and flexibility have garnered tremendous attention because of their abilities to mimic the human somatosensory system and perceive surrounding pressure distribution. Herein, an ultrasensitive pressure sensor was fabricated with surface-patterned nanofibrous membranes (SPNMs) via a facile replica method from available plain-weaved nylon textiles. The SPNMs were composed of internal threedimensional interpenetrating polyolefin elastomer nanofibers and silver nanowires (Ag NWs). The effects of the geometry of surface patterns and the density of the Ag NW network on the sensing performance of the assembled pressure sensor were systematically investigated. The results indicated that clavate groove-shaped surface patterns improved the sensitivity and a larger groove spacing contributed to higher sensitivities, whereas denser Ag NWs would reduce the sensing performance. The optimal pressure sensor assembled with SPNMs-45 and a Ag NW fraction of 3.8% showed high sensitivity (19.4 kPa −1 ) below the pressure of 2.76 kPa, a low detection limit (<1.6 Pa), fast response (30 and 42 ms), as well as excellent durability. These outstanding performances demonstrated its promising potential for wearable electronic applications, like detecting the spatial pressure distribution and monitoring human muscle motions.

Facile Fabrication of Conductive Graphene/Polyurethane Foam Composite and Its Application on Flexible Piezo-Resistive Sensors

“…According to the definition of equation of sensitivity (Equations (1) and (2)) [8,9] the Δ R/R 0 curve can be divided into two linear sections and fitted. The slope of the two linear fitted line can be considered as the sensitivity in that pressure range.…”

“…With the rapid development of the information technology, flexible pressure sensors have been extremely concerned due to their potential in human machine interface, flexible robots, wearing electronic equipment, and flexible electronic skin [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15]. Normally, flexible pressure sensors are divided into three types: capacitive, piezoelectric, and piezo-resistive.…”

Transduction Mechanisms, Micro-Structuring Techniques, and Applications of Electronic Skin Pressure Sensors: A Review of Recent Advances

“…This approach is much less expensive than photolithography techniques, nevertheless it does not allow for design changes in the micro-structuring due to limitations regarding the objects available to act as molds. Several objects have been used as molds, from sandpaper [ 130 , 166 , 167 , 168 , 169 , 170 , 171 ] to paper [ 39 ], leaves of several plants’ species [ 38 , 43 , 142 , 172 , 173 , 174 , 175 , 176 , 177 ], insect wings [ 142 ], animals skin [ 178 ], and fabrics [ 140 , 179 , 180 , 181 , 182 ]. PDMS is once again the most chosen material for the micro-structured films [ 38 , 39 , 130 , 140 , 142 , 167 , 168 , 169 , 172 , 173 , 174 , 175 , 176 , 177 , 178 , 179 , 182 ], as well as PDMS-based composites with graphite [ 166 , 170 ] or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [ 181 ].…”

Ultrasensitive Wearable Pressure Sensors Based on Silver Nanowire-Coated Fabrics

“…When a pressure is applied, the two films contact, and a significant current is generated. For instance, Wei et al demonstrated a wearable pressure sensor with the structure of two conductive AgNWs-coated cotton sheets [29]. Zhou et al designed a pressure sensor with a printed textile electrode and AgNW-coated cotton fabric [30].…”