Multifunctional wearable sensor using hetero-nanoforest structural Cu-HHTP/CuCoNi-LDH composite toward applications of human motion, sound, gas and light monitoring

Abstract

Highly sensitive sensors with extensive applications are extremely desired in the next-generation wearable electronics for human motion monitoring, human-machine interface and intelligent robotics, while single-functional pressure sensors cannot fulfill the growing demands of modern technological advances. Herein, an all-fabric and multilayered piezoresistive sensor based on conductive metal-organic framework/layered double hydroxide (cMOF/LDH) hetero-nanoforest is demonstrated to achieve multiple applications including pulse detection, joint motion detection, sound detection and information transmission. Benefiting from the synergism of cMOF/LDH hetero-nanoforest and multilayered structure, the sensor exhibits a high sensitivity (1.61 × 109 kPa−1) over a broad pressure range (0–100 kPa), a fast response/recovery time (71 ms/71 ms) and a low detection limit (18 Pa), as well as reliable dynamic stability (8000 cycles). It is gratifying to note that the introduction of cMOFs endows the sensor with the potential to detect the concentration of NH3 (1–100 ppm) and sunlight intensity (10–100 mW cm−2). This work shows great potential in multifunctional sensing, which enlightens a strategy for advancing the development process of highly sensitive intelligent wearable devices.