Strain sensing, electromagnetic interference shielding, and antimicrobial performance of triple hierarchic fabric coated with AgNWs and polydopamine
Muchao Qu, Ziying Luo, Hongji Chen, Yijing Qin, Dirk W. Schubert, Guanda Yang, Lei Han, Fritjof Nilsson
Abstract
For wearable smart textile sensors, stability, accuracy and multi-functionality are key objectives. Achieving the optimal application requires delicately balancing the crucial physical properties of strain sensors, presenting a key technological challenge. This study addresses these challenges by presenting several properties and potential applications of a triple hierarchic polymeric knitted fabric. The fabric incorporates an internal conductive network constructed with silver nanowires (AgNWs) and polydopamine (PDA) coating on its outer surface. This innovative textile successfully strikes a balance between strain sensing and electromagnetic interference shielding while concurrently exhibiting biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties. Significantly, acknowledging the susceptibility of measurements from polymer-based strain sensor materials to time drift we introduce both a modeling approach and a novel calibration technique. This advancement facilitates the generation of stable cyclic sensing signals, even under substantial deformations of up to 80 % at a high stretching speed. Importantly, it provides a practical solution for addressing signal drift observed in flexible sensors when utilized in environments characterized by long-term and large deformations.