Stretchable, Sensitive Strain Sensors with a Wide Workable Range and Low Detection Limit for Wearable Electronic Skins
Wei Zhai, Jingzhan Zhu, Ziqi Wang, Yi Zhao, Pengfei Zhan, Shuo Wang, Guoqiang Zheng, Chunguang Shao, Kun Dai, Chuntai Liu, Changyu Shen
Abstract
With the rapid development of wearable electronics, a multifunctional and flexible strain sensor is urgently required. Even though enormous progress has been achieved in designing high-performance strain sensors, the conflict between high sensitivity and a large workable range still restricts their further advance. Herein, a "point to point" conductive network is proposed to design and fabricate a carbon black/polyaniline nanoparticles/thermoplastic polyurethane film (CPUF). The designed structure renders CPUF composites with a wide sensitive range (up to 680% strain), highly sensitive response with a low detection limit of 0.03% strain, and high gauge factor (GF) of 3030.8, together with good sensing stability, fast response/recovery time (80 ms/95 ms), and good durability even after 10000 stretching/releasing cycles. CPUF composites are assembled as wearable strain sensors with the ability of precisely detecting full-range human motions and organic solvents, showing a potential application in human-machine interaction and environmental monitoring.