3D Dielectric Layer Enabled Highly Sensitive Capacitive Pressure Sensors for Wearable Electronics
Author(s): Zhao, SF (Zhao, Shufang); Ran, WH (Ran, Wenhao); Wang, DP (Wang, Depeng); Yin, RY (Yin, Ruiyang); Yan, YX (Yan, Yongxu); Jiang, K (Jiang, Kai); Lou, Z (Lou, Zheng); Shen, GZ (Shen, Guozhen)
Source: ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Volume: 12 Issue: 28 Pages: 32023-32030 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c09893 Published: JUL 15 2020
Abstract: Flexible capacitance sensors play a key role in wearable devices, soft robots, and the Internet of things (IoT). To realize these feasible applications, subtle pressure detection under various conditions is required, and it is often limited by low sensitivity. Herein, we demonstrate a capacitive touch sensor with excellent sensing capabilities enabled by a three-dimensional (3D) network dielectric layer, combining a natural viscoelastic property material of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibers wrapped with electrically conductive materials of Ag nanowires (AgNWs). Taking advantage of the large deformation and the increase of effective permittivity under the action of compression force, the device has the characteristics of high sensitivity, fast response time, and low detection limit. The enhanced sensing mechanism of the 3D structures and the conductive filler have been discussed in detail. These superior functions enable us to monitor a variety of subtle pressure changes (pulse, airflow, and Morse code). By detecting the pressure of fingers, a smart piano glove integrated with 10 circuits of finger joints is made, which realizes the real-time performance provides the possibility for the application of intelligent wearable electronic products such as virtual reality and interface in the future.
Accession Number: WOS:000551488400098
PubMed ID: 32564591
ISSN: 1944-8244
eISSN: 1944-8252
Full Text: http://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.0c09893