Electrically Conductive TPU Nanofibrous Composite with High Stretchability for Flexible Strain Sensor

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Development of flexible electronic devices requires materials with high stretchability and electrical conductivity.
• Existing materials often lack the necessary durability or adaptability for real-world applications.
• Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a versatile polymer, but its inherent conductivity and stretchability need enhancement for advanced sensor applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a highly stretchable and electrically conductive thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibrous composite.
• To develop a flexible strain sensor and stretchable conductor with enhanced performance.
• To provide an easy and low-cost fabrication method for advanced nanofibrous membranes.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of TPU to create a nanofibrous membrane.
• In situ polymerization of polyaniline (PANI) onto the TPU nanofibrous membrane.
• Characterization of the resulting PANI/TPU composite for electrical conductivity, stretchability, and stability.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated a highly stretchable and electrically conductive PANI/TPU nanofibrous composite.
• The PANI/TPU membrane-based sensor demonstrated strain detection from 0 to 160% with fast response and excellent stability.
• The composite exhibited good durability, adaptability to non-flat environments, and maintained conductivity across different operating temperatures.

Conclusions:

• The developed PANI/TPU nanofibrous composite is a promising material for flexible strain sensors and stretchable conductors.
• The fabrication method is easy to operate and cost-effective, enabling scalable production.
• This technology has potential applications in detecting subtle human movements for wearable electronics and human-machine interfaces.