Porous Nanocomposites with Enhanced Intrinsic Piezoresistive Sensitivity for a Highly Integrated Multimodal Tactile Sensor

Abstract

In this work, we propose a new and low cost elastomeric nanocomposite, i.e., porous fluororubber-thermoplastic urethanes nanocomposites (PFTNs), and demonstrate the highest intrinsic piezoresistive sensitivity to pressure among the known porous nanocomposites. Our experiments indicate that the PFTN's intrinsic sensitivity to pressure (within 10kPa) increases up to 900% compared to the porous thermoplastic urethanes nanocomposite (PTN) and up to 275% compared to the porous fluororubber nanocomposite (PFN), respectively. For pressures exceeding 10 kPa, the pressure-resistance relationship follows a logarithmic function, and the sensitivity of PFTN to the logarithm of pressure is observed to be 221% and 125% higher than that of PTN and PFN, respectively. Along with the change of contact resistance at the micro-porous interface between PFTN and electrode, the excellent intrinsic sensitivity of thick PFTN films makes it ideal to imitate multiple skin functions, such as touch detection, pressure perception and traction sensation, in a single sensing unit. The sensitivity to touch of the e-skin reaches approximately 150 Pa, and it exhibits a linear fit degree of over 97% for monitoring the applied pressure and shear force. We also demonstrate an array-based e-skin capable of accurately recognizing pinch, spread, and tweak motions.

Designing wearable capacitive pressure sensors with arrangement of porous pyramidal microstructures

“…Their study involves the utilization of two distinct composite materials in these sensors: a composite consisting of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) and elastomer, and a Quantum Tunneling Composite (QTC). In their work, Peng et al [33] showcase the efficacy of a cost-effective elastomeric nanocomposite referred to as porous fluororubber-thermoplastic urethanes nanocomposites (PFTNs). Notably, these composites exhibit the highest intrinsic sensitivity to pressure among existing porous nanocomposites.…”