2018-11-16

Ultrasensitive wearable pressure sensorsassembled by surface-patterned polyolefin elastomer nanofiber membraneinterpenetrated with silver nanowires

Abstract: Wearable pressure sensors withultrahigh sensitivity and flexibility have garnered tremendous attentionbecause of their abilities to mimic the human somatosensory system and perceivesurrounding pressure distribution. Herein, an ultrasensitive pressure sensorwas fabricated with surface-patterned nanofibrous membranes (SPNMs) via afacile replica method from available plain-weaved nylon textiles. The SPNMswere composed of internal three-dimensional interpenetrating polyolefin elastomernanofibers and silver nanowires (Ag NWs). The effects of the geometry ofsurface patterns and the density of the Ag NW network on the sensingperformance of the assembled pressure sensor were systematically investigated.The results indicated that clavate groove-shaped surface patterns improved thesensitivity and a larger groove spacing contributed to higher sensitivities,whereas denser Ag NWs would reduce the sensing performance. The optimalpressure sensor assembled with SPNMs-45 and a Ag NW fraction of 3.8% showedhigh sensitivity (19.4 kPa–1) below the pressure of 2.76 kPa, a low detectionlimit (<1.6 Pa), fast response (30 and 42 ms), as well as excellentdurability. These outstanding performances demonstrated its promising potentialfor wearable electronic applications, like detecting the spatial pressuredistribution and monitoring human muscle motions.

Zhong Weibing, et al.Ultrasensitive wearable pressure sensors assembled by surface-patternedpolyolefin elastomer nanofiber membrane interpenetrated with silver nanowires. ACS applied materials & interfaces,2018, 10, 42706-42714.