Bioinspired ultra-stretchable dual-carbon conductive functional polymer fiber materials for health monitoring, energy harvesting and self-powered sensing

Abstract

Highly stretchable and multifunctional wearable electronics have shown a desirable attraction recently. However, most fiber-based devices are hindered by the dilemma of stretchability and sensitivity, as well as the decline of performance due to delamination. Herein, a bis-condensed inspired ultra-stretchable dual-carbon fiber (MSSS fiber) is proposed based on the synergistic interaction and tunneling effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs)-superconductive carbon black (SCCB)-poly[styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene] (SIS) conductive polymer composite (CPC) and a strong interlocked layer-by-layer structure. The MSSS fiber is developed as a strain sensor with good electric conductivity and stability, ultra-stretchability, high sensitivity (GF = 1,096 at 1,100 %), and good durability (10,000 at 1,000 %) which shows excellent sensing for various motion applications. Simultaneously, the MSSS fiber is also exploited as a single-electrode fiber-based triboelectric nanogenerator (F-TENG) by triboelectric material coating. It demonstrates a significant output power, good durability over 25,000 cycles and stable electric output performance under high-level deformation (600 %), endowing its reliability as a power source supply and self-powered sensing device. This ultra-stretchable conductive fiber further explores the development of multifunctional subtle wearable electronics. The applications of healthcare sensing and energy harvesting also give promising potential in the field of smart wearable electronics, human–computer interaction, and artificial intelligence.