Wearable hydroxylated MWCNTs/ecoflex composite strain sensor with high comprehensive performance based on electron irradiation. (28th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yue, Xiaoqing; Yang, Jianqun; Gao, Jiuwei; Xu, Xiaodong; Jing, Yuhang; Wang, Xuewen; Li, Weiqi; Li, Xingji
• Is Part Of: Composites science and technology. Volume 226(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07-28
• Subjects: Strain sensor -- Electron irradiation -- Flexible composites -- Human health monitoring; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Fibrous composites; Periodicals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2022.109537
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-3538

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, electron irradiation as a novel and simple method was used to fabricate wearable strain sensors with high comprehensive performance. Hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (hydroxylated MWCNTs) were uniformly adsorbed on ecoflex etched by hydrofluoric acid (HF). After electron irradiation, a large number of defects and functional groups were successfully introduced into the hydroxylated MWCNTs/ecoflex, leading to a flexible strain sensor with high comprehensive performance such as ultra-low detection limit, fast response, and wide sensing range. Compared with the unirradiated sensors, the irradiated sensors have an ultra-low detection limit of 0.01% and a wide strain range (the maximum strain of 800%), the maximum gauge factor is increased by 344%, and the response time and recovery time are reduced by 50% and 89.2% respectively. The sensors can be used for monitoring the weak physiological movements and large-scale human movements, which has great potential in health monitoring. The electron irradiation as an activate method can provide a way for mass fabrication of flexible sensors with high comprehensive performance such as ultra-low detection limit and wide sensing range. Graphical abstract: Image 1