Multi-layer stretchable pressure sensors using ionic liquids and carbon nanotubes

Abstract

A stretchable and pressure sensitive polymer capable of detecting strains was developed through the incorporation of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate as an ionic liquid (IL) into a stretchable photopolymer. The developed IL/polymer composite showed both a field effect characteristic and piezoresistivity by embedding the composite between two layers of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based stretchable electrodes. A multi-layer pressure sensitive taxel was formed using a hybrid manufacturing process, where two electrode layers were fabricated by screen printing and the IL/polymer composite was formed by casting using a mold. A composite material for the electrodes was developed through the dispersion of CNTs into a highly stretchable photo/thermal crosslinkable prepolymer. The fabricated sensor was evaluated with different forces ranging from 0 to 140 g. The experiment results showed that the developed stretchable sensor had good repeatability and reliability in detecting applied pressures.