A high-sensitive wearable sensor based on conductive polymer composites for body temperature monitoring

Abstract

Temperature sensors provide new possibilities for personal health management. However, it is a challenge to fabricate high-sensitivity sensors that can respond flexibly to different temperature ranges. In this work, the acrylate copolymer (AC) with tunable temperature response in the range of 33–40 °C was synthesized. Then a highly sensitive wearable body temperature sensor (BTS) is constructed with it and carbon black (CB). The larger volume expansion of AC and the loose conductive network formed by CB can make its resistance change over 3 orders of magnitude with temperature change. Furthermore, the sensitivity (R/R0) can reach 12.5 % when the temperature varies by 0.5 °C around the body temperature and remains stable after 200 times heating cycles. The BTS is connected to light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to visualize this process. Therefore, the prepared high-sensitivity BTS has broad application prospects in the field of smart wearable electronics.