Highly Sensitive and Stretchable Strain Sensor Based on a Synergistic Hybrid Conductive Network

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Stretchable strain sensors are crucial for human motion detection and wearable electronics.
• A key challenge is balancing high sensitivity with high stretchability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly sensitive and stretchable strain sensor overcoming the sensitivity-stretchability trade-off.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of reduced graphene oxide-coated polystyrene microspheres and silver nanowires.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a strain sensor using reduced graphene oxide (RGO)-coated polystyrene microspheres (PS@RGO) and silver nanowires (AgNWs) embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix.
• Characterization of the sensor's electrical conductivity, working range, gauge factor, linearity, limit of detection, and long-term stability.

Main Results:

• The PDMS/PS@RGO/AgNWs/PDMS sensor demonstrated high electrical conductivity (8791 S m⁻¹).
• Achieved a wide working range (0-230%), large gauge factors (11 at 0-60% strain, 47 at 100%-230% strain), and high linearity.
• Exhibited a low limit of detection (1% strain) and excellent stability over 1000 cycles.

Conclusions:

• The developed strain sensor effectively integrates high sensitivity and stretchability.
• Demonstrated potential for detecting human motion and in applications for intelligent robots and the Internet of Things.