Flexible Multimodal Sensors Based on Fibrous Porous Networks of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Polydimethylsiloxane for Sensing and Distinguishing Vertical and Shear Force

Abstract

Wearable sensors are one of the key components in applications such as motion monitoring, smart medical care, and human-computer interaction systems. In the present work, we focus on the simultaneous improvements of flexible sensors in both performance and functionality. Here, with a porous fiber network of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)–polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as an active layer, a flexible pressure sensor with ultra-high sensitivity and superior capability of identifying transverse shear force and temperature signals is designed and constructed. The fibral MWCNTs–PDMS piezoresistive layer was formed with a scouring pad (SP) fiber network as skeleton, and the PDMS thin layer formed by self-assembly can effectively increase the initial resistance. Attributing to the unique compressibility of the fibral porous network and the adjustable nanoscale contacts, the MWCNT-PDMS/SP sensor exhibits a wide detection range (0–360 kPa), and in particular, an ultra-high sensitivity (84,818.2 kPa–1 when <100 pa). Beyond the highly sensitive characteristics, the sensor also has a high shear-force sensitivity (GF = 6.15 under 0.05 N). The sensor can still maintain a relatively stable performance even after operating for more than 10,000 pressure cycles, showing as a potential candidate for the applications of electronic skin, intelligent robots, etc.