Self-driving flexible piezoresistive sensors integrated with enhanced energy harvesting sensor of ZnO/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite based on 3D structure

Abstract

Wearable piezoresistive sensors (PRS) based on detecting small resistance variation have broad applications. Aiming at solving self-driving issue, a self-driving PRS based on piezoelectric energy harvesting sensor is proposed. Therefore, the piezoresistive sensor was prepared by the Ti3C2Tx nanosheets coated 3D sponge. The piezoelectric energy harvesting sensor based on ZnO nanorods growing on the surface of the Ti3C2Tx nanosheets coated sponge was designed by perfusing Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The piezoresistive sensor with the detection range of 0–61.12 kPa and the sensitivity of 6.40 kPa−1 was obtained, and further constructed the detection array with the 4 × 4 PRSs. The piezoelectric energy harvesting sensor illustrated an output voltage of 101 V, a power of 10 μW, and a sensitivity of 4.37 V·kPa−1, which can drive the piezoresistive sensor and monitor human motions. Meanwhile, the demonstration of self-driving and detecting human motions of the piezoresistive sensor by the piezoelectric energy harvesting sensor was illustrated. Therefore, the piezoresistive and piezoelectric devices based the Ti3C2Tx modified 3D sponge can be constructed and achieve self-powered pressure detection.