High‐performance flexible temperature sensor from hybrid nanocomposite for continuous human body temperature monitoring

Abstract

Combining high sensitivity with fast response and high resolution remains a critical challenge for flexible temperature sensors. The present study leverages the intrinsically high surface-to-volume ratio of nanocomposite fibers as well as the high mechanical properties of nanomaterials for achieving conformable temperature sensors with accurate and fast detection of temperature. To achieve this, nanocomposite films of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with embedded silver (Ag) nanoparticles were layered with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The sensor showed a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) with excellent sensitivity of À0.18%/ C and a quick response rate of 11 s. The sensor also exhibited low self-heating errors for an activation current of 1 mA and excellent anti-interference ability when tested for bending forces and wet environments. The nanocomposite fiber-based sensor can be used for real-time monitoring of human body temperature as confirmed by successful experiments. The present work lays the foundation for integrating the sensor further with a user interface to create a wearable temperature monitoring system for mobile healthcare.

Synthesis of a PNIPAM-Based Composite Hydrogel and Its Multipurpose Applications in Piezoresistive and Temperature Sensing

“…16 As one of the critical physiological indexes for human health, temperature is also an important indicator to be monitored. 17 Therefore, the simultaneous realization of temperature and strain sensing is significant in obtaining more compact and concise human-monitoring devices. However, the vast difference between strain and temperature sensing mechanisms makes the design of multifunctional sensors for simultaneous temperature and strain monitoring challenging.…”

Piezoelectric properties of PVDF‐TrFE/BaTiO3 composite foams with different contents of TrFE units

“…Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its derived copolymers as typical representatives of the polymer PEs were widely explored due to their flexibility, biocompatibility, and easy processing. [2][3][4][5] However, they possess lower PE constants when compared to piezoceramics which also limits their wider use.…”

“…Although various PE materials from different origins were already developed, there is a huge interest in creating new piezo systems with improved properties. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its derived copolymers as typical representatives of the polymer PEs were widely explored due to their flexibility, biocompatibility, and easy processing 2–5 . However, they possess lower PE constants when compared to piezoceramics which also limits their wider use.…”

Emerging synthesis and characterization techniques for hybrid polymer nanocomposites

“…The minute size and high surface area of the nanofillers offers enhanced thermal, optical, mechanical, and electrical characteristics of the composite [1][2][3]. For instance, use of nanoparticles (NPs) in a suitable polymer host can lead to improved sensing properties [4,5], UV protection, enhanced barrier properties, flame resistance etc [6]. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are particularly important because of the exceptional thermos-mechanical properties which can be retained in the NC material.…”

“…Characterization techniques such as microscopy and spectroscopy techniques can open up structural details of the composites, the scattering of the fillers, interconnection between filler and matrix, and bring forth information at molecular level [5]. This can, in turn help one understand the static and dynamic mechanical and thermal behaviours portrayed by the composites and impart some ability in controlling the dispersion of the NPs, interfacial adhesion, size and shape, scalability, cost etc Data-driven models can be developed to predict properties of the composites, provided composition, constituents and individual material properties are known as priori [13].…”