Highly Sensitive, Low Hysteretic and Flexible Strain Sensor Based on Ecoflex-AgNWs- MWCNTs Flexible Composite Materials

Abstract

Strain sensors based on silver nanowires (AgNWs) have attracted much attention due to their wide application of electronic skin, smart textiles, and health monitoring. In this work, we report a flexible strain sensor based on an Ecoflex flexible substrate. AgNWs and Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) doped as a conductive material. The excellent ductility and elongation at break in Ecoflex, as well as excellent heat resistance and impact resistance, can increase the test range and increase the sensing range of the sensor. AgNWs-based sensors enhance the sensitivity of the sensor to 118.19 while improving linearity and stability and reducing hysteresis. In addition, strain sensors can be utilized to monitor body movements such as finger flexion, leg movements, and so on. In this work, smart gloves are used to monitor finger movements using flexible strain sensors, which show its great potential for wearable electronics applications.