High-Sensitive Wearable Capacitive Pressure Sensor with Hemispherical Porous Electrode

Abstract

Flexible pressure sensors have a variety of applications in the field of wearable electronics. Flexible capacitive pressure sensors have attracted attention for stability, resistance to temperature disturbances, and low energy consumption. However, the sensitivity that the sensor maintains over a wide range needs to be improved. In this article, a wearable capacitive pressure sensor with a hemispherical porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode was developed. The sensitivity of the hemispherical porous PDMS/CNTs (HSP-PC) sensor can maintain 0.379 kPa–1 in the range of 0–10 kPa, 0.087 kPa–1 in the range of 10–100 kPa, and 0.034 kPa–1 in the range of 100–400 kPa. The sensor proved to be effective in monitoring human physiological signals, such as pulse wave and joint movement, and was also able to manipulate mechanical claw movements through human motions. Sensor component materials such as conductive Ag fabric and nonwoven fabric can be easily sewn onto clothing, showing potential applications in wearable physiological monitoring and human–machine interaction scenarios.