A photonic sintering derived Ag flake/nanoparticle-based highly sensitive stretchable strain sensor for human motion monitoring. Issue 17 (21st March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Inhyuk; Woo, Kyoohee; Zhong, Zhaoyang; Ko, Pyungsam; Jang, Yunseok; Jung, Minhun; Jo, Jeongdai; Kwon, Sin; Lee, Seung-Hyun; Lee, Sungwon; Youn, Hongseok; Moon, Jooho
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 10:Issue 17(2018)
• Page Start: 7890
• Page End: 7897
• Publication Date: 2018-03-21
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c7nr09421c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : A highly stretchable sensor with excellent sensitivity was obtained using an Ag flake/Ag NC hybrid by an intense pulsed light sintering process. Abstract : Recently, the demand for stretchable strain sensors used for detecting human motion is rapidly increasing. This paper proposes high-performance strain sensors based on Ag flake/Ag nanocrystal (NC) hybrid materials incorporated into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. The addition of Ag NCs into an Ag flake network enhances the electrical conductivity and sensitivity of the strain sensors. The intense localized heating of Ag flakes/NCs is induced by intense pulsed light (IPL) irradiation, to achieve efficient sintering of the Ag NCs within a second, without damaging the PDMS matrix. This leads to significant improvement in the sensor sensitivity. Our strain sensors are highly stretchable (maximum strain = 80%) and sensitive (gauge factor = 7.1) with high mechanical stability over 10 000 stretching cycles under 50% strain. For practical demonstration, the fabrication of a smart glove for detecting the motions of fingers and a sports band for measuring the applied arm strength is also presented. This study provides an effective method for fabricating elastomer-based high-performance stretchable electronics.