Layered MXene/Aramid Composite Film for a Soft and Sensitive Pressure Sensor

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Two-dimensional MXene materials show promise for wearable electronics and pressure sensors.
• Developing conformal, ultrathin, and flexible pressure sensors with high sensitivity and wide detection range remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a high-performance, ultrathin, and flexible pressure sensor using MXene.
• To optimize MXene preparation and composite fabrication for enhanced sensor properties.

Main Methods:

• An optimized mild LiF/HCl etching scheme was used to prepare high-concentration few-layer Ti3C2Tx MXene.
• A layer-by-layer suction filtration method combined MXene with aramid nanofibers (ANF) to form a composite film.
• The composite film was fabricated into an ultrathin layered pressure sensor.

Main Results:

• The MXene/ANF composite sensor exhibits high sensitivity (16.7 kPa^-1) and a wide detection range (>100 kPa).
• The sensor is ultrathin (10 μm), highly flexible, and demonstrates up to 10% stretchability.
• The addition of ANF significantly enhances the mechanical strength compared to pure MXene films.

Conclusions:

• The developed MXene/ANF pressure sensor meets key requirements for high-performance applications.
• The sensor's properties are suitable for practical applications in human motion monitoring and human-machine interfaces.
• This work presents a viable strategy for fabricating advanced flexible electronic sensors.