Flexible and high-sensitivity piezoresistive sensor based on MXene composite with wrinkle structure

Abstract

Due to the portability, good flexibility and excellent sensing performance, flexible piezoresistive sensors have received great attention in the field of transient electronic skin, intelligent robots and human-machine interaction. However, achieving both high sensitivity and wide sensing range by low-cost and large-scale method still remains a key challenge for developing high performance piezoresistive sensors. Here, a flexible and highly sensitive piezoresistive sensor was designed and realized by combining the 2D MXene material with wrinkle structure. The MXene composite based sensor with wrinkle structure was fabricated by spraying the active material onto the surface of a pre-stretched polyacrylate tape, which is facile, efficient and low-cost. The MXene composite based sensor demonstrates high sensitivity (148.26 kPa−1), wide pressure range (up to 16 kPa), short response time (120 ms) and excellent durability (>13000 cycles). Moreover, benefiting from the extraordinary sensing performance and flexibility, the sensor can detect human physiological signals, monitor intelligent robot postures and map spatial pressure distributions, thus exhibiting great potential in physiological analysis systems, humanoid robotics and biomedical prostheses.