Abstract
Flexible temperature sensors with superior resolution and reliable repeatability are crucial in the burgeoning field of electronic skins (e-skins). In this study, we synthesized thermo-responsive materials with mechanical flexibility by incorporating multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) into waterborne polyurethane (WPU) matrix via covalent bonding. The thermal movement of WPU chain segments serves as the driving force, endowing the resultant material with excellent temperature response properties and stability. The MWCNT@WPU sensor demonstrates ultra-high sensitivity (−5.63 % K−1), high accuracy (0.1 °C), rapid response (mere 4.5 s), and long-term durability (up to 30 days) for temperature sensing within the range of 30 to 60 °C. Importantly, the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) can be tailored by adjusting the molecular weight of WPU soft segments and the ratio of hard segment to soft segment in WPU. Moreover, the developed sensor exhibits outstanding detection accuracy and stability in practical applications such as continuous water temperature monitoring, breathing rate measurement, and human skin temperature sensing, highlighting its immense potential in the e-skins field, catering to applications in healthcare monitoring, intelligent robotic platforms, and environmental surveillance.
Published Version
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