A personalized electronic textile for ultrasensitive pressure sensing enabled by biocompatible MXene/PEDOT: PSS composite

Abstract

Flexible, breathable, and highly sensitive pressure sensors have increasingly become a focal point of interest due to their pivotal role in healthcare monitoring, advanced electronic skin applications, and disease diagnosis. However, traditional methods, involving elastomer film-based substrates or encapsulation techniques, often fall short due to mechanical mismatches, discomfort, lack of breathability, and limitations in sensing abilities. Consequently, there is a pressing need, yet it remains a significant challenge to create pressure sensors that are not only highly breathable, flexible, and comfortable but also sensitive, durable, and biocompatible. Herein, we present a biocompatible and breathable fabric-based pressure sensor, using nonwoven fabrics as both the sensing electrode (coated with MXene/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate [PEDOT:PSS]) and the interdigitated electrode (printed with MXene pattern) via a scalable spray-coating and screen-coating technique. The resultant device exhibits commendable air permeability, biocompatibility, and pressure sensing performance, including a remarkable sensitivity (754.5 kPa⁻¹), rapid response/recovery time (180/110 ms), and robust cycling stability. Furthermore, the integration of PEDOT:PSS plays a crucial role in protecting the MXene nanosheets from oxidation, significantly enhancing the device's long-term durability. These outstanding features make this sensor highly suitable for applications in full-range human activities detection and disease diagnosis. Our study underscores the promising future of flexible pressure sensors in the realm of intelligent wearable electronics, setting a new benchmark for the industry.

Keywords

biocompatibility / MXene / pressure sensor / screen printing / textile

References

[1] Liu M, Zhang Y, Tao TH. Recent progress in bio-integrated intelligent sensing system. Adv Intell Syst. 2022; 4 (6): 2100280.

[2] Pan H, Chen G, Chen Y, et al. Biodegradable cotton fiber-based piezoresistive textiles for wearable biomonitoring. Biosens Bioelectron. 2023; 222: 114999.

[3] Liu Y, Bao R, Tao J, Li J, Dong M, Pan C. Recent progress in tactile sensors and their applications in intelligent systems. Sci Bull. 2020; 65 (1): 70- 88.

[4] Jia H, Qiu M, Tang C, et al. Advanced flexible carbon-based current collector for zinc storage. Adv Fiber Mater. 2022; 4 (6): 1500- 1510.

[5] Yuan Z, Lin Q, Li Y, Han W, Wang L. Effects of multiple ion reactions based on a CoSe₂/MXene cathode in aluminum-ion batteries. Adv Mater. 2023; 35 (17): 2211527.

[6] Li L, Tian W, VahidMohammadi A, et al. Ultrastrong ionotronic films showing electrochemical osmotic actuation. Adv Mater. 2023; 35 (45): 2301163.

[7] Rostami J, Benselfelt T, Maddalena L, et al. Shaping 90 wt% nanomofs into robust multifunctional aerogels using tailored bio-based nanofibrils. Adv Mater. 2022; 34 (38): 2204800.

[8] Tian W, VahidMohammadi A, Reid MS, et al. MXene nanocomposites: multifunctional nanocomposites with high strength and capacitance using 2D MXene and 1D nanocellulose. Adv Mater. 2019; 31 (41): 1970290.

[9] Dai Y, Zhang C, Zhang W, et al. Reversible Zn metal anodes enabled by trace amounts of underpotential deposition initiators. Angew Chem Int Ed. 2023; 62 (18): e202301192.

[10] Dong H, Hu X, Liu R, et al. Bio-inspired polyanionic electrolytes for highly stable zinc-ion batteries. Angew Chem. 2023; 135 (41): e202311268.

[11] Gao X, Dai Y, Zhang C, et al. When it's heavier: interfacial and solvation chemistry of isotopes in aqueous electrolytes for Zn-ion batteries. Angew Chem Int Ed. 2023; 62 (16): e202300608.

[12] Chen R, Zhang C, Li J, et al. A hydrated deep eutectic electrolyte with finely-tuned solvation chemistry for high-performance zinc-ion batteries. Energy Environ Sci. 2023; 16 (6): 2540- 2549.

[13] Gao X, Wu H, Su C, et al. Recent advances in carbon-based nanomaterials for multivalent-ion hybrid capacitors: a review. Energy Environ Sci. 2023; 16 (4): 1364- 1383.

[14] Wu W, Li L, Li Z, Sun J, Wang L. Extensible integrated system for real-time monitoring of cardiovascular physiological signals and limb health. Adv Mater. 2023; 35 (51): 2304596.

[15] Zhao L, Xu H, Liu L, Zheng Y, Han W, Wang L. MXene-induced flexible, water-retention, semi-interpenetrating network hydrogel for ultra-stable strain sensors with real-time gesture recognition. Adv Sci. 2023; 10 (30): 2303922.

[16] Zhang Q, Wang YL, Xia Y, Kirk TV, Chen XD. Textile-only capacitive sensors with a lockstitch structure for facile integration in any areas of a fabric. ACS Sens. 2020; 5 (6): 1535- 1540.

[17] Fang Y, Zou Y, Xu J, et al. Ambulatory cardiovascular monitoring via a machine-learning-assisted textile triboelectric sensor. Adv Mater. 2021; 33 (41): 2104178.

[18] Tan Y, Yang K, Wang B, Li H, Wang L, Wang C. High-performance textile piezoelectric pressure sensor with novel structural hierarchy based on ZnO nanorods array for wearable application. Nano Res. 2021; 14 (11): 3969- 3976.

[19] Zheng X, Hu Q, Wang Z, Nie W, Wang P, Li C. Roll-to-roll layer-by-layer assembly bark-shaped carbon nanotube/Ti₃C₂T_x MXene textiles for wearable electronics. J Colloid Interface Sci. 2021; 602: 680- 688.

[20] Rim YS, Bae S-H, Chen H, De Marco N, Yang Y. Recent progress in materials and devices toward printable and flexible sensors. Adv Mater. 2016; 28 (22): 4415- 4440.

[21] Chowdhury AH, Jafarizadeh B, Baboukani AR, Pala N, Wang C. Monitoring and analysis of cardiovascular pulse waveforms using flexible capacitive and piezoresistive pressure sensors and machine learning perspective. Biosens Bioelectron. 2023; 237: 115449.

[22] Chen F, Liu H, Xu M, et al. Fast-response piezoresistive pressure sensor based on polyaniline cotton fabric for human motion monitoring. Cellulose. 2022; 29 (12): 6983- 6995.

[23] Zhang L, Li H, Lai X, et al. Carbonized cotton fabric-based multilayer piezoresistive pressure sensors. Cellulose. 2019; 26 (8): 5001- 5014.

[24] Zhang L, Li H, Lai X, Gao T, Yang J, Zeng X. Thiolated graphene@polyester fabric-based multilayer piezoresistive pressure sensors for detecting human motion. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2018; 10 (48): 41784- 41792.

[25] Choi H, Sun J, Ren B, et al. 3D textile structure-induced local strain for a highly amplified piezoresistive performance of carbonized cellulose fabric based pressure sensor for human healthcare monitoring. Chem Eng J. 2022; 450: 138193.

[26] Kweon OY, Lee SJ, Oh JH. Wearable high-performance pressure sensors based on three-dimensional electrospun conductive nanofibers. NPG Asia Mater. 2018; 10 (6): 540- 551.

[27] Song Z, Li W, Kong H, et al. Merkel receptor-inspired integratable and biocompatible pressure sensor with linear and ultrahigh sensitive response for versatile applications. Chem Eng J. 2022; 444: 136481.

[28] Ke Y, Jia K, Zhong W, et al. Wide-range sensitive all-textile piezoresistive sensors assembled with biomimetic core-shell yarn via facile embroidery integration. Chem Eng J. 2022; 435: 135003.

[29] Zheng S, Wu X, Huang Y, et al. Multifunctional and highly sensitive piezoresistive sensing textile based on a hierarchical architecture. Compos Sci Technol. 2020; 197: 108255.

[30] Fu X, Wang L, Zhao L, et al. Controlled assembly of MXene nanosheets as an electrode and active layer for high-performance electronic skin. Adv Funct Mater. 2021; 31 (17): 2010533.

[31] Huang Y, Fan X, Chen S-C, Zhao N. Emerging technologies of flexible pressure sensors: materials, modeling, devices, and manufacturing. Adv Funct Mater. 2019; 29 (12): 1808509.

[32] Jian M, Xia K, Wang Q, et al. Flexible and highly sensitive pressure sensors based on bionic hierarchical structures. Adv Funct Mater. 2017; 27 (9): 1606066.

[33] Wang Y, Yue Y, Cheng F, et al. Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-based flexible piezoresistive physical sensors. ACS Nano. 2022; 16 (2): 1734- 1758.

[34] Huang Y, Lu Q, Wu D, et al. Flexible MXene films for batteries and beyond. Carbon Energy. 2022; 4 (4): 598- 620.

[35] Liu P, Liu W, Liu K. Rational modulation of emerging MXene materials for zinc-ion storage. Carbon Energy. 2022; 4 (1): 60- 76.

[36] Wang L, Ma Z, Zhang Y, Qiu H, Ruan K, Gu J. Mechanically strong and folding-endurance Ti₃C₂T_x MXene/PBO nanofiber films for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal management. Carbon Energy. 2022; 4 (2): 200- 210.

[37] Zhu C, Geng F. Macroscopic MXene ribbon with oriented sheet stacking for high-performance flexible supercapacitors. Carbon Energy. 2021; 3 (1): 142- 152.

[38] Zheng X, Zhang S, Zhou M, et al. MXene functionalized, highly breathable and sensitive pressure sensors with multi-layered porous structure. Adv Funct Mater. 2023; 33 (19): 2214880.

[39] Zheng X, Cao W, Hong X, et al. Versatile electronic textile enabled by a mixed-dimensional assembly strategy. Small. 2023; 19 (17): 2208134.

[40] Uzun S, Seyedin S, Stoltzfus AL, et al. Knittable and washable multifunctional MXene-coated cellulose yarns. Adv Funct Mater. 2019; 29 (45): 1905015.

[41] Yang X, Wu F, Xu C, Yang L, Yin S. A flexible high-output triboelectric nanogenerator based on MXene/CNT/PEDOT hybrid film for self-powered wearable sensors. J Alloys Compd. 2022; 928: 167137.

[42] Safari Z, Zarandi MB, Giuri A, et al. Optimizing the interface between hole transporting material and nanocomposite for highly efficient perovskite solar cells. Nanomaterials. 2019; 9 (11): 1627.

[43] Liu M, Pu X, Jiang C, et al. Large-area all-textile pressure sensors for monitoring human motion and physiological signals. Adv Mater. 2017; 29 (41): 1703700.

[44] Jia J, Huang G, Deng J, Pan K. Skin-inspired flexible and high-sensitivity pressure sensors based on rGO films with continuous-gradient wrinkles. Nanoscale. 2019; 11 (10): 4258- 4266.

[45] Yu S, Li L, Wang J, et al. Light-boosting highly sensitive pressure sensors based on bioinspired multiscale surface structures. Adv Funct Mater. 2020; 30 (16): 1907091.

[46] Zhao T, Li T, Chen L, Yuan L, Li X, Zhang J. Highly sensitive flexible piezoresistive pressure sensor developed using biomimetically textured porous materials. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2019; 11 (32): 29466- 29473.

[47] Gao Y, Yan C, Huang H, et al. Microchannel-confined MXene based flexible piezoresistive multifunctional micro-force sensor. Adv Funct Mater. 2020; 30 (11): 1909603.

[48] Cheng Y, Ma Y, Li L, et al. Bioinspired microspines for a high-performance spray Ti₃C₂T_x MXene-based piezoresistive sensor. ACS Nano. 2020; 14 (2): 2145- 2155.

[49] Luo C, Liu N, Zhang H, et al. A new approach for ultrahigh-performance piezoresistive sensor based on wrinkled PPy film with electrospun PVA nanowires as spacer. Nano Energy. 2017; 41: 527- 534.

[50] Bi L, Yang Z, Chen L, Wu Z, Ye C. Compressible AgNWs/Ti₃C₂T_x MXene aerogel-based highly sensitive piezoresistive pressure sensor as versatile electronic skins. J Mater Chem A. 2020; 8 (38): 20030- 20036.

[51] Zhu Y, Cai H, Ding H, Pan N, Wang X. Fabrication of low-cost and highly sensitive graphene-based pressure sensors by direct laser scribing polydimethylsiloxane. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2019; 11 (6): 6195- 6200.

[52] Liu W, Liu N, Yue Y, et al. A flexible and highly sensitive pressure sensor based on elastic carbon foam. J Mater Chem C. 2018; 6 (6): 1451- 1458.

[53] Yue Y, Liu N, Liu W, et al. 3D hybrid porous MXene-sponge network and its application in piezoresistive sensor. Nano Energy. 2018; 50: 79- 87.

[54] Hu Y, Zhuo H, Luo Q, et al. Biomass polymer-assisted fabrication of aerogels from MXenes with ultrahigh compression elasticity and pressure sensitivity. J Mater Chem A. 2019; 7 (17): 10273- 10281.

[55] Pang Y, Zhang K, Yang Z, et al. Epidermis microstructure inspired graphene pressure sensor with random distributed spinosum for high sensitivity and large linearity. ACS Nano. 2018; 12 (3): 2346- 2354.

[56] Zhang L, He J, Liao Y, et al. A self-protective, reproducible textile sensor with high performance towards human-machine interactions. J Mater Chem A. 2019; 7 (46): 26631- 26640.

[57] Liu Q, Zhang Y, Sun X, et al. All textile-based robust pressure sensors for smart garments. Chem Eng J. 2023; 454: 140302.

[58] Yu Q, Su C, Bi S, et al. Ti₃C₂T_x@nonwoven fabric composite: promising MXene-coated fabric for wearable piezoresistive pressure sensors. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2022; 14 (7): 9632- 9643.

[59] Zheng X, Wang P, Zhang X, et al. Breathable, durable and bark-shaped MXene/textiles for high-performance wearable pressure sensors, EMI shielding and heat physiotherapy. Compos Part A. 2022; 152: 106700.

[60] Li P, Zhao L, Jiang Z, et al. A wearable and sensitive graphene-cotton based pressure sensor for human physiological signals monitoring. Sci Rep. 2019; 9 (1): 14457.

[61] Gong S, Schwalb W, Wang Y, et al. A wearable and highly sensitive pressure sensor with ultrathin gold nanowires. Nat Commun. 2014; 5 (1): 3132.

[62] Nichols WW. Clinical measurement of arterial stiffness obtained from noninvasive pressure waveforms. Am J Hypertens. 2005; 18 (S1): 3S- 10S.

[63] Sharma S, Chhetry A, Sharifuzzaman M, Yoon H, Park JY. Wearable capacitive pressure sensor based on MXene composite nanofibrous scaffolds for reliable human physiological signal acquisition. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2020; 12 (19): 22212- 22224.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 The Authors. Carbon Energy published by Wenzhou University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.