Ultrasensitive Pressure Sensor Sponge Using Liquid Metal Modulated Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Nanosheets

Nano Lett. 2022 Apr 13;22(7):2817-2825. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c04976. Epub 2022 Mar 25.

Abstract

Wearable pressure sensors are crucial for real-time monitoring of human activities and biomimetic robot status. Here, the ultrasensitive pressure sensor sponge is prepared by a facile method, realizing ultrasensitive pressure sensing for wearable health monitoring. Since the liquid metal in the sponge-skeleton structure under pressure is conducive to adjust the contact area with nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets and thus facilitates the charge transfer at the interface, such sensors exhibit a fast response and recovery speed with the response/recovery time 0.41/0.12 s and a comprehensive response range with a sensitivity of up to 476 KPa-1. Notably, the liquid metal-based spongy pressure sensor can accurately monitor the human body's pulse, the pressure on the skin, throat swallowing, and other activities in real time, demonstrating a broad application prospect. Those results provide a convenient and low-cost way to fabricate easily perceptible pressure sensors, expanded the application potential of liquid metal-based composites for future electronic skin development.

Keywords: health monitoring; high sensitivity; liquid metal; pressure sensor; spongiform.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Graphite*
  • Humans
  • Metals
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Nitrogen
  • Pressure
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*

Substances

  • Metals
  • Graphite
  • Nitrogen