Composites Research Division, Korea Institute of Materials Science, 797 Changwon-daero, Changwon, Gyeongnam 51508, South Korea.
Nanoscale. 2019 Mar 28;11(13):5884-5890. doi: 10.1039/c9nr01005j.
Here, we report a novel highly sensitive wearable strain sensor based on a highly stretchable multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) fiber obtained via a wet spinning process. The MWCNT/TPU fiber showed the highest tensile strength and ultra-high sensitivity with a gauge factor (GF) of approximately 2800 in the strain range of 5-100%. Due to its high strain sensitivity of conductivity, this CNT-reinforced composite fiber was able to be used to monitor the weight and shape of an object based on the 2D mapping of resistance changes. Moreover, the composite fiber was able to be stitched onto a highly stretchable elastic bandage using a sewing machine to produce a wearable strain sensor for the detection of diverse human motions. We also demonstrated the detection of finger motion by fabricating a smart glove at the joints. Due to its scalable production process, high stretchability and ultrasensitivity, the MWCNT/TPU fiber may open a new avenue for the fabrication of next-generation stretchable textile-based strain sensors.
在这里，我们报告了一种新型的基于高拉伸性多壁碳纳米管（MWCNT）/热塑性聚氨酯（TPU）纤维的高灵敏度可穿戴应变传感器，该纤维通过湿法纺丝工艺获得。MWCNT/TPU 纤维在 5-100%的应变范围内表现出最高的拉伸强度和超高的灵敏度，其应变系数（GF）约为 2800。由于其高应变灵敏度的导电性，这种 CNT 增强型复合纤维能够基于电阻变化的二维映射来监测物体的重量和形状。此外，该复合纤维可以使用缝纫机缝合到高拉伸弹性绷带上来制作可穿戴应变传感器，以检测各种人体运动。我们还通过在关节处制作智能手套来演示手指运动的检测。由于其可扩展的生产工艺、高拉伸性和超灵敏性，MWCNT/TPU 纤维可能为下一代可拉伸纺织应变传感器的制造开辟新途径。
