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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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Sensitivity Enhancement of Soft Capacitive Pressure Sensors Using a Solvent Evaporation-Based Porosity Control Technique
Published on: March 24, 2023
Microstructured PVDF-HFP/TPU Ionogels for Wide-Range Iontronic Pressure Sensing
Zhanghao Lin1, Haowei Kong1, Huishu Wu2
1Jiangmen Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Functional Materials and Devices, School of Applied Physics and Materials, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, P. R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|July 7, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel ionogel dielectric for flexible iontronic pressure sensors, achieving high sensitivity and a wide pressure range. The developed sensor demonstrates reliable performance across varying temperatures and shows potential for monitoring cabin states.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Sensor Technology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Iontronic pressure sensors (IPSs) offer high signal output via electric-double-layer (EDL) capacitance for flexible interfaces.
- Achieving high sensitivity, wide pressure range, and temperature stability in IPSs remains a challenge.
- Existing ionogel dielectrics often require templating for microstructural control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a robust ionogel dielectric for advanced iontronic pressure sensing.
- To enhance sensor performance including sensitivity, pressure range, and thermal stability.
- To explore the application of these sensors in contact-based cabin-state monitoring.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a microstructured PVDF-HFP/TPU/[EMIM][TFSI] ionogel dielectric using a scalable solution-casting process.
- Utilizing solvent-evaporation-induced phase separation to create an interconnected porous microstructure.
- Implementing a precalibrated thermal-coefficient compensation method for signal reliability.
Main Results:
- The ionogel dielectric exhibited high sensitivity (13.9 nF kPa-1 below 40 kPa) and a wide measurable pressure range (up to 5 MPa).
- The sensor demonstrated stable operation and suppressed capacitance drift over a temperature range of 30-70 °C.
- Proof-of-concept classification of seated postures and cabin interactions was achieved using multichannel sensor arrays and machine learning.
Conclusions:
- The developed microstructured ionogel dielectric platform enables scalable and robust iontronic pressure sensing.
- The sensor's performance characteristics are suitable for demanding applications requiring high sensitivity and stability.
- This technology holds significant potential for non-invasive, contact-based monitoring systems, such as in vehicle cabins.
