Chen Minzhang, An Xiaoni, Zhao Fengyan, Chen Pan, Wang Junfeng, Zhang Miaoqian, Lu Ang
College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, People's Republic of China.
School of Material Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
Nanomicro Lett. 2025 Mar 31;17(1):205. doi: 10.1007/s40820-025-01718-z.
Pressure sensors are essential for a wide range of applications, including health monitoring, industrial diagnostics, etc. However, achieving both high sensitivity and mechanical ability to withstand high pressure in a single material remains a significant challenge. This study introduces a high-performance cellulose hydrogel inspired by the biomimetic layered porous structure of human skin. The hydrogel features a novel design composed of a soft layer with large macropores and a hard layer with small micropores, each of which contribute uniquely to its pressure-sensing capabilities. The macropores in the soft part facilitate significant deformation and charge accumulation, providing exceptional sensitivity to low pressures. In contrast, the microporous structure in the hard part enhances pressure range, ensuring support under high pressures and preventing structural failure. The performance of hydrogel is further optimized through ion introduction, which improves its conductivity, and as well the sensitivity. The sensor demonstrated a high sensitivity of 1622 kPa, a detection range up to 160 kPa, excellent conductivity of 4.01 S m, rapid response time of 33 ms, and a low detection limit of 1.6 Pa, outperforming most existing cellulose-based sensors. This innovative hierarchically porous architecture not only enhances the pressure-sensing performance but also offers a simple and effective approach for utilizing natural polymers in sensing technologies. The cellulose hydrogel demonstrates significant potential in both health monitoring and industrial applications, providing a sensitive, durable, and versatile solution for pressure sensing.
压力传感器在包括健康监测、工业诊断等广泛的应用中至关重要。然而，要在单一材料中同时实现高灵敏度和承受高压的机械能力仍然是一项重大挑战。本研究引入了一种受人类皮肤仿生分层多孔结构启发的高性能纤维素水凝胶。该水凝胶具有一种新颖的设计，由具有大孔的软层和具有小孔的硬层组成，每一层都对其压力传感能力有独特贡献。软部分的大孔促进了显著的变形和电荷积累，对低压具有出色的灵敏度。相比之下，硬部分的微孔结构扩大了压力范围，确保在高压下提供支撑并防止结构失效。通过引入离子进一步优化了水凝胶的性能，提高了其导电性以及灵敏度。该传感器表现出1622 kPa的高灵敏度、高达160 kPa的检测范围、4.01 S m的优异导电性、33 ms的快速响应时间以及1.6 Pa的低检测限，优于大多数现有的基于纤维素的传感器。这种创新的分级多孔结构不仅增强了压力传感性能，还为传感技术中利用天然聚合物提供了一种简单有效的方法。纤维素水凝胶在健康监测和工业应用中都显示出巨大潜力，为压力传感提供了一种灵敏、耐用且通用的解决方案。
