Stretchable, breathable, and highly sensitive capacitive and self-powered electronic skin based on core-shell...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electronics Engineering

Background:

• Wearable and flexible electronics require durable, stretchable, and conformable materials for long-term performance.
• Existing sensors often lack the required sensitivity, stability, or self-powering capabilities for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop ultra-stretchable, breathable, and highly sensitive flexible capacitive tactile sensors and triboelectric effect core-shell nanofibers.
• To investigate the performance of these nanofibers as both tactile sensors and self-powered energy harvesters.

Main Methods:

• Core-shell ionic TPU/PVDF-HFP nanofibers were prepared using an electrospinning approach.
• The capacitive sensing performance was evaluated for pressure detection, sensitivity, detection limit, response time, and stability.
• The triboelectric properties were assessed for energy harvesting capabilities, including power density.

Main Results:

• The core-shell nanofibers demonstrated high sensitivity (0.718 kPa⁻¹) in a low linear pressure range (0-1.2 kPa) with an ultralow detection limit (7 Pa).
• The sensor exhibited rapid response and recovery times and excellent long-term stability.
• A self-powered pressure sensor achieved a sensitivity of 0.071 V kPa⁻¹ in a high linear pressure range (90-400 kPa) and functioned as an energy harvester with a high power density (1.6 W m⁻²).

Conclusions:

• The developed core-shell ionic nanofibers offer a promising platform for high-performance flexible electronic devices.
• These materials enable applications in spatial pressure mapping, bending angle detection, soft grabbing, and physiological signal monitoring.
• The dual functionality as a sensitive sensor and an efficient energy harvester highlights their potential for advanced wearable electronics.