Abstract
Capacitive sensors have many applications in tactile sensing, human-machine interfaces, on-body sensors, and patient monitoring. Particularly in biomedical applications, it would be beneficial if the sensor is disposable and readily degradable for efficient recycling. In this study, we report a biodegradable capacitive tactile pressure sensor based on sustainable and bio resourced materials. Silver-nanowire-coated rubber tree leaf skeletons are used as transparent and flexible electrodes while a biodegradable clear tape is used as the dielectric layer. The fabricated sensor is sensitive and can respond to low pressures (7.9 mN when pressed with a probe with a surface area of 79 mm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> / 0.1 kPa) ranging to relatively high pressures (37 kPa), with a sensitivity up to <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\approx \,\,4.5\times 10 ^{-3}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> kPa <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">−1</sup> . Owing to all bio resourced constituents, the sensor is biodegradable and does not create electronic waste.
Highlights
FLEXIBLE devices are intensively researched [1], [2], due to their promising applications in flexible displays[3], flexible sensors [4], flexible solar cells [5], artificial electronic skins (“e-skins”) [6], human-computer interfaces [7], and many other devices [8]–[10]
As the applications of electronic devices are increasing, so is the waste created by disposed electronic devices
A capacitive tactile pressure sensor consists of two conductive electrodes, with a dielectric in between
Summary
FLEXIBLE devices are intensively researched [1], [2], due to their promising applications in flexible displays[3], flexible sensors [4], flexible solar cells [5], artificial electronic skins (“e-skins”) [6], human-computer interfaces [7], and many other devices [8]–[10]. These paper and polymer-based touch sensors are fabricated in cleanrooms, using sophisticated techniques such as photolithography and physical vapor deposition. We report the fabrication of capacitive pressure sensors out of plant-based materials. A skeleton of rubber tree leaf (Hevea brasiliensis), coated with Ag nanowires, was used as a transparent and flexible electrode (Fig. 1a) while a biodegradable cellulose clear tape was used as a dielectric layer. The interconnected fractal-like design provides stability and good surface coverage with a small amount of material This fractallike architecture is responsible for high flexibility and allows the repeated bending of the surface.
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