Support-free printing origami-based 3D negative Poisson's ratio-structured piezoresistive sensor for motion monitoring

Abstract

A convenient strategy for preparing meta-structures with a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR), which enhance mechanoelectrical responsiveness and are typically based on inner concave hollow cells, is 3D printing without support structures. However, this process requires the material to have high melt strength, often linked to high viscosity and low printability. In this work, we introduced 0D carbon black (CB) into a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/1D carbon nanotubes (CNT) composite to create a dimension-hybrid filler system, enhancing strength with minimal viscosity increase. The results show that the bending modulus and Young's modulus of CB/CNT(1:3)/TPU composites are increased by 1.6 times and 1.8 times that of TPU, while its viscosity (2697.98 Pa⋅s) is lower than the allowed value of printer. Then, the 3D-printed suspension bridge of TPU is 42.7 % less saggy, significantly benefiting to preparing meta-structures. Based on a support-free 3D printable enclosed hollow structure, the TPU / CNT / CB composite material achieves an adjustable NPR between −0.59 and −0.20. Compared to unfolded structure, this NPR characteristic further improves the piezoelectric output voltage by 9.00 times, enhances the compressive modulus by 3.15 times, and improves the piezoresistive sensitivity by 122.0 %. Sensors based on this 3D-printed material showcase high performance stability and reproducibility, demonstrating their potential in wearable equipment.