Electrode-Integrated Textile-Based Sensors for In Situ Temperature and Relative Humidity Monitoring in Electrochemical Cells

Abstract

Temperature and humidity measurements in electrochemical energy devices are essential for maximizing their overall performance under different operating conditions and avoiding hazardous consequences that may arise from the malfunction of these systems. Using sensors for in situ measurements of temperature and relative humidity (RH) is a promising approach for continuous monitoring and management of electrochemical power sources. Here, we report on the feasibility of using thread-based sensors for in situ measurements of temperature and RH in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) as an example of electrochemical energy devices. Commodity threads are low-cost and flexible materials that hold great promise for the creation of complex three-dimensional (3D) circuits using well-established textile methods such as weaving, braiding, and embroidering. Ex situ and in situ characterization show that threads can be introduced in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) structure to inscribe water highways within the GDL with minimal impact on the GDL microstructure and transport properties. Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) is coated on thread-based sensors to decouple the response to temperature and humidity; the resulting threads achieve a linear change of resistance with temperature (−0.31%/°C), while RH is monitored with a second thread coated with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). The combination of both threads allows for minimally invasive and dynamically responsive monitoring of local temperature and RH within the electrode of PEMFCs.

Recent Advances in Touch Sensors for Flexible Wearable Devices

“…In addition to the overcoat, cotton yarns were knitted into scaffold shapes via an automatic knitting machine to ensure high mechanical stability against a cyclic analysis at 25-55 • C. The great sensitivity and rapid response time of carbon-based nanomaterials, such as CNTs, have also made them an attractive alternative to rGO flakes for temperature sensors [100]. For example, Hasanpour et al coated cotton threads with fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and CNTs multiple times following dip-coating processes and drying procedures to protect the temperature sensor from the effects of humidity [101]. A conventional stitching machine was used to stitch threads into polyester fabrics, which conducted cyclic testing without exhibiting significant hysteresis between 50 to 120 • C without the threads unravelling.…”

Perspective on Biomass-Based Cotton-Derived Nanocarbon for Multifunctional Energy Storage and Harvesting Applications

“…To maintain sustainability and enhance the capacity of metal-based batteries, cotton-based biomass nanocomposites are the best source of energy storage and generation as shown in Figure . Cotton-based nanomaterials are the best choice because they have high porosity naturally and abundance, and their synthesized materials like activated carbon or their direct use in the battery’s technology enhance performance. − Recently, Wang et al have utilized cotton fiber as a cathode nanomaterial in a lithium-ion battery to support different organic materials, i.e., carbon black (CB), 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The cotton fiber provides flexibility to the cathode, and this composite cathode shows high performance with 135 mAh g –1 of specific capacitance and 90% of retention with good mechanical strength .…”

Textile‐Based Flexible Temperature Sensors for Wearable and Sports Applications

“…This 3 Â 3 array shows great potential in healthcare (E-skin) Figure 3. a) Carbon nanotube (CNT)-coated cotton-and polyester-thread-based temperature sensor; [29] b) stitched and textile-type temperature sensor based on cotton thread; [68] c) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of cotton thread coated in materials; SEM images of i) cotton thread, ii) CNT-infused thread, iii) polyaniline (PANI), iv) carbon, and (v) thread coated with carbon and PANI. [69] application where accuracy, light weight, and fast response time are desired.…”

“…The compatibility of wearable accessories with e-textile sensors requires unique characteristics such as flexibility, lightweight, stretchability, washable, and can be breathable. [86] A dual-mode commodity thread-based sensor was designed by Hasanpur et al [29] It is flexible and used to measure temperature and humidity for continuous monitoring. The flexible and feasible thread material is traditionally used in the garment industry for creating inexpensive and stretchable sensors.…”

“…[22] The growth of sensors in e-textiles has caught the attention of the researchers in recent years because of their flexibility and structural geometry. Different sensors such as pressure, [23][24][25][26][27] temperature, [28][29][30][31] force, [32][33][34][35] and humidity [36][37][38][39][40] have been developed with textiles for wearable and biomedical applications, i.e., to monitor the body for any internal injuries, [41] in sports to enhance the performance of the player, in human-machine interaction (such as virtual reality), [42,43] and other high-end application in clinical diagnostics, [44] and monitor the natural…”