An intrinsically stretchable and ultrasensitive nanofiber-based resistive pressure sensor for wearable electronics. Issue 16 (9th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liang, Fang-Cheng; Ku, Hau-Jen; Cho, Chia-Jung; Chen, Wei-Cheng; Lee, Wen-Ya; Chen, Wen-Chang; Rwei, Syang-Peng; Borsali, Redouane; Kuo, Chi-Ching
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 8:Issue 16(2020)
• Page Start: 5361
• Page End: 5369
• Publication Date: 2020-04-09
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d0tc00593b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7526

Abstract

Abstract : Nanofiber-based electronics with unique fibrous interlocked microstructures are capable of differentiating various mechanical stimuli, such as normal pressure, lateral strain, and bending. Skin-inspired electronics with an ultrahigh sensitivity of 71.07 kPa −1 under a small applied pressure (<0.06 kPa), a rapid response time (<2 ms), and highly reproducible stability (>5000 cycles) are reported, thereby demonstrating their potential applications in versatile human–machine interfaces. Abstract : To date, most skin-like pressure sensors largely depend on the conventional lithography technique for fabricating microstructures, limited by chemical-intensive and time-consuming manufacturing processes, which have limited the implementation scalability. Herein, we present the nano-resistor alongside fibrous interlocked microstructure (FIM) concept integrating a one-step electrospinning technique, which is a cost-effective, lithographic-free approach with large-scale expandability to fabricate skin-inspired resistive-type pressure sensors with ultrahigh performance and lightweight characteristics. The unique elastic sandwich-structured conducting nanofiber (ESSCN) configuration comprises poly(styrene- block -ethylene- ran -butylene- block -styrene) (SEBS) natural rubber and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), while dielectric SEBS nanofibers are employed as the middle layer, sandwiched by two SEBS/AgNP electrodes at the top and bottom for packaging. The FIM endows the obtained pressure sensors with superior performance, including an ultrahigh sensitivity of 71.07 kPa −1 under a small applied pressure (<0.06 kPa), a rapid response time (<2 ms), highly reproducible stability (>5000 cycles) with excellent off/on switching behaviors, and mechanical stimuli sensing (pressure, strain, and bending). As a proof-of-concept demonstration, the sensors can be implemented through integration with an RGB-LED wristband and garments for monitoring human physiological signals, thereby endowing our ESSCN with broader potential applications in versatile electronic skin and human–machine interfaces.