Abstract
Resistive pressure sensors generally employ microstructures such as pores and pyramids in the active layer or on the electrodes to reduce the Young’s modulus and improve the sensitivity. However, such pressure sensors always exhibit complex fabrication process and have difficulties in controlling the uniformity of microstructures. In this paper, we demonstrated a highly sensitive resistive pressure sensor based on a composite comprising of low-polarity liquid crystal (LPLC), multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. The LPLC in the PDMS forms a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) structure which can not only reduce the Young’s modulus but also contribute to the construction of conductive paths in the active layer. By optimizing the concentration of LC in PDMS elastomer, the resistive pressure sensor shows a high sensitivity of 5.35 kPa−1, fast response (<150 ms), and great durability. Fabrication process is also facile and the uniformity of the microstructures can be readily controlled. The pressure sensor offers great potential for applications in emerging wearable devices and electronic skins.
Highlights
Pressure sensors have attracted intensive attention for applications in smartphones, electronic skins, and wearable electronic devices [1,2,3]
Piezo-electric pressure sensors respond to applied pressure with charge accumulation in piezoelectric materials and usually have high sensitivity
Resistive pressure sensors based on solid composites of elastomers and conductive fillers usually show poor sensitivity due to high Young’s modulus
Summary
Pressure sensors have attracted intensive attention for applications in smartphones, electronic skins, and wearable electronic devices [1,2,3]. Several new designs using microstructures, such as porous structure [3], pyramidal structure [11], inter-locking nanofibers [9], porous carbon nanotube sponges [12], gold-film-polyurethane sponges [13], and hollow spheres-based conductive polymers [14], have been proposed to improve pressure sensitivity. Introducing such microstructures into the active layer can decrease the Young’s modulus and increase the relative change in contact area, resulting in higher sensitivity. Fmuratnhuerfmacoturer,incgh.araFcutretrhisetrimcsoarne,d uchnaifroarcmteirtiystoicfstheanddropulneitfsocramnitbye roefadtihlyecodnrtorpolleletds . can be readily controlled
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