A novel, stretchable, silver‐coated polyolefin elastomer nanofiber membrane for strain sensor applications

Abstract

In this study, we prepared a novel, stretchable, and porous polyolefin elastomer (POE) nanofiber membrane (NM) on the basis of a high-throughput, low-cost, environmentally friendly melt-blending method. To obtain an excellent conductivity, we prepared the Ag-POE composite NM via a facile and effective method of electroless plating. Via the control of the pretreatment process and concentration of the reactant, a homogeneous Ag layer formed on the surface of the POE nanofibers without damaging the original thermal and mechanical properties. Because of the good stretchability, conductivity, and porosity, the Ag-POE NM was used as a strain sensor to detect the pressure and airflow. When the silver nitrate concentration was 4 g/L, a good sensitivity and durability were obtained. The current change accurately recorded the deformation of the membrane under different pressures and air flows. The results of this study provide us with an industrial method to prepare Ag-POE NM and indicate its potential application as a strain sensor for outer stimuli detection.

Multifunctional and stretchable graphene/textile composite sensor for human motion monitoring

“…The strain sensor is one of the most commonly used sensors because it can detect mechanical deformations or structural changes, and has great potential to be applied in wearable devices to monitor various human movements 13–17 . It requires both great stretchability and high sensitivity to deal with high and small strains during human motion monitoring 18 .…”

“…movements. [13][14][15][16][17] It requires both great stretchability and high sensitivity to deal with high and small strains during human motion monitoring. 18 At present, commonly used composite strain sensors are usually made by addition of metal or inorganic semiconductor materials which have a more stable performance, but their inherent shortcomings include increased size and weight, poor stretchability and a limited sensing range which are undesirable for embedding into wearable sensor matrices.…”

Wireless Battery-Free Broad-Band Sensor for Wearable Multiple Physiological Measurement

“…Commercial wearable electronic products, mostly in the form of watches, wristbands, or belts, are either fully or partially composed of bulky rigid components, which cause discomfort and limit the functions for physiological signal measurement . Considering the large frequency distribution and low intensity of different physiological signals, compact wearable sensing systems with ultrasensitivity, multiband, light weight, and flexibility, which are conformable in contact with the surface of the skin, have a great demand for real applications. − …”

Highly Sensitive and Stretchable Strain Sensor Based on a Synergistic Hybrid Conductive Network

“…The obtained strain sensor could be stretched by more than 200%, however, with a low conductivity of 0.16 S·m –1 . Combining with a highly stretchable polymer, ideal stretchability and outstanding sensitivity have been realized in many recent works. , However, it should be noted that a high electrical conductivity could be essential for portable and skin-mountable strain sensors, enabling low energy consumption and the possibility to work on a low voltage of portable energy devices. , Low conductivity limits the application of carbon nanofillers, especially CNTs. ,, To enhance the electrical conductivity of the strain sensor, a variety of strain sensors based on liquid metal, − metal coating, − metal particles, , and metal nanowires , were reported to significantly enhance the electrical conductivity. Among them, silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been considered as potential metal nanofillers in many recent works due to their good conductivity and large working strain range. − For example, Zhang et al fabricated AgNWs/warp yarn composites with a high conductivity of 2.78 S/m and large strain range of up to 200%.…”