Large-scale assembly of highly stretchable and conductive polydopamine-generated poly (ethylene terephthalate)/ polyurethane fabric through the self-assembly intercalation strategy for superior sensing

Abstract

Smart wearable electronic devices with superb sensing performance have aroused superb attention in recent years. However, designing an admirable strain sensor with the excellent balance between superior sensitivity and excellent stretchability remains a major challenge. Herein, we developed a conductive polydopamine-coated poly (ethylene terephthalate)/polyurethane fabric as the wearable strain sensor with the layered generating structure and the cooperative effect of carboxylated carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide via self-assembly intercalation process. Obviously, the cooperative conductive effect of conductive fillers endowed the fabric with a superb integration of tunable strain sensitivity (0–265.48), outstanding electromechanical performance, great stretchability (0–220%), excellent heating performance, and long-term stability and repeatability under different strains over 2500 cycles. Especially, the as-prepared sensor was used for the detection of tiny body movements and vigorous human motions, indicating its further impressive prospect in wearable smart electronics. Therefore, such the proposed sensor with the layered generating structure exhibited remarkable potential for developing the flexible wearable electronic device of integrated sensing property and excellent electromechanical performance.