To extend the application range of flexible pressure
sensors and
to be widely used as an economical and convenient way, researchers
have made efforts toward high sensitivity, wide detection range, and
low power consumption. However, most sensors can only work based on
a single mechanism, thus limiting the sensing range and applicability.
In view of this, we developed a dual-mechanism pressure sensor (DMPS)
based on Ag nanowire/PDMS electrodes and ZnO nanoparticle-based force-sensitive
membranes, which has a sandwich structure and complete flexibility
under the effect of chemical bonding. It can simultaneously sense
high-frequency dynamic pressure as well as static load by integrating
piezoelectric and piezocapacitive effects, thereby complementing the
inability of conventional piezoelectric-type sensors to continuously
detect static pressure. The prepared flexible DMPS containing 20 wt
% ZnO nanofiller has a pressure frequency-independent electrical output
of about 2 V under 20 N force conditions and also has a long-term
stability of more than 5000 pressure cycles. Moreover, it exhibits
good linearity, repeatability, and stability in the 0–100 kPa
detection range in the piezocapacitive mode. On the basis of multimechanism
and modularity, the flexible DMPS was demonstrated for fruit quality
monitoring, including avocado ripeness grading, tactile sensory gloves,
and moisture loss assessment, indicating its promising applications
in intelligent agricultural machines and wearable sensing systems.