1
|
Khan MA, Attique S, Ali N, Shehzad K, Gong N, Zhou N, Chen X, Li Z, Gao Y, Yan M, Qiu J, Ma Z, Xu B. Development of a Highly Sensitive and Stretchable Charge-Transfer Fiber Strain Sensor for Wearable Applications. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024. [PMID: 39340431 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c07698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Wearable electronics have significantly advanced the development of highly stretchable strain sensors, which are essential for applications such as health monitoring, human-machine interfaces, and energy harvesting. Fiber-based sensors and polymeric materials are promising due to their flexibility and tunable properties, although balancing sensitivity and stretchability remains a challenge. This study introduces a novel composite strain sensor that combines poly(3-hexylthiophene) and tetrafluoro-tetracyanoquinodimethane to form a charge-transfer complex (CTC) with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on a styrene-butadiene-styrene substrate. The CTC improves conductivity through effective charge transfer, while CNTs provide mechanical reinforcement and maintain conductive paths, preventing cracks under large strains. Purposefully introduced wrinkles in the structure enhance the detection of small strains. The sensor demonstrated a broad strain-sensing range from 0.01 to 200%, exhibiting high sensitivity to both minor and major deformations. Mechanical tests confirmed strong stress-strain performance, and electrical tests indicated significant conductivity improvements with CNT integration. These results highlight the potential of the sensor for applications in health monitoring, human-machine interfaces, and energy harvesting, effectively mimicking the tactile sensing abilities of human skin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Anees Khan
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Sanam Attique
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Nasir Ali
- Research Center for Frontier and Fundamental Studies, Zhejiang Laboratory, Yuhang District, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Khurram Shehzad
- Institute of Physics, Silesian University of Technology, Konarskiego 22B,44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Nan Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Ningjing Zhou
- Research Center for Frontier and Fundamental Studies, Zhejiang Laboratory, Yuhang District, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Xiangxiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Zicheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Yang Gao
- Center for X-Mechanics, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Key Laboratory of Soft Machines and Smart Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Mi Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Novel Materials for Information Technology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Jianrong Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhijun Ma
- Research Center for Frontier and Fundamental Studies, Zhejiang Laboratory, Yuhang District, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| | - Beibei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen J, Chen K, Jin J, Wu K, Wang Y, Zhang J, Liu G, Sun J. Outstanding Synergy of Sensitivity and Linear Range Enabled by Multigradient Architectures. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:11958-11967. [PMID: 38090798 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c04204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Flexible pressure sensors are devices that mimic the sensory capabilities of natural human skin and enable robots to perceive external stimuli. One of the main challenges is maintaining high sensitivity over a broad linear pressure range due to poor structural compressibility. Here, we report a flexible pressure sensor with an ultrahigh sensitivity of 153.3 kPa-1 and linear response over an unprecedentedly broad pressure range from 0.0005 to 1300 kPa based on interdigital-shaped, multigradient architectures, featuring modulus, conductivity, and microstructure gradients. Such multigradient architectures and interdigital-shaped configurations enable effective stress transfer and conductivity regulation, evading the pressure sensitivity-linear range trade-off dilemma. Together with high pressure resolution, high frequency response, and good reproducibility over the ultrabroad linear range, proof-of-concept applications such as acoustic wave detection, high-resolution pressure measurement, and healthcare monitoring in diverse scenarios are demonstrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaorui Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
| | - Kai Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
| | - Jiaqi Jin
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
| | - Kai Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
| | - Yaqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
| | - Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
| | - Jun Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jinkins KR, Dwyer JH, Suresh A, Foradori SM, Gopalan P, Arnold MS. Parameters Affecting Interfacial Assembly and Alignment of Nanotubes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:14433-14440. [PMID: 37756498 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Tangential flow interfacial self-assembly (TaFISA) is a promising scalable technique enabling uniformly aligned carbon nanotubes for high-performance semiconductor electronics. In this process, flow is utilized to induce global alignment in two-dimensional nematic carbon nanotube assemblies trapped at a liquid/liquid interface, and these assemblies are subsequently deposited on target substrates. Here, we present an observational study of experimental parameters that affect the interfacial assembly and subsequent aligned nanotube deposition. We specifically study the water contact angle (WCA) of the substrate, nanotube ink composition, and water subphase and examine their effects on liquid crystal defects, overall and local alignment, and nanotube bunching or crowding. By varying the substrate chemical functionalization, we determine that highly aligned, densely packed, individualized nanotubes deposit only at relatively small WCA between 35 and 65°. At WCA (< 10°), high nanotube bunching or crowding occurs, and the film is nonuniform, while aligned deposition ceases to occur at higher WCA (>65°). We find that the best alignment, with minimal liquid crystal defects, occurs when the polymer-wrapped nanotubes are dispersed in chloroform at a low (0.6:1) wrapper polymer to nanotube ratio. We also demonstrate that modifying the water subphase through the addition of glycerol not only improves overall alignment and reduces liquid crystal defects but also increases local nanotube bunching. These observations provide important guidance for the implementation of TaFISA and its use toward creating technologies based on aligned semiconducting carbon nanotubes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R Jinkins
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1509 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Jonathan H Dwyer
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Dr., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Anjali Suresh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1509 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Sean M Foradori
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1509 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Padma Gopalan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1509 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Michael S Arnold
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1509 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu Q, Tan Y, Zhang R, Kang Y, Zeng G, Zhao X, Jiang T. Conformal Self-Assembly of Nanospheres for Light-Enhanced Airtightness Monitoring and Room-Temperature Gas Sensing. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:1829. [PMID: 34361213 PMCID: PMC8308308 DOI: 10.3390/nano11071829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The fabrication of conformal nanostructures on microarchitectures is of great significance for diverse applications. Here a facile and universal method was developed for conformal self-assembly of nanospheres on various substrates including convex bumps and concave holes. Hydrophobic microarchitectures could be transferred into superhydrophilic ones using plasma treatment due to the formation of numerous hydroxyl groups. Because of superhydrophilicity, the nanosphere suspension spread on the microarchitectures quickly and conformal self-assembly of nanospheres can be realized. Besides, the feature size of the conformal nanospheres on the substrates could be further regulated by plasma treatment. After transferring two-dimensional tungsten disulfide sheets onto the conformal nanospheres, the periodic nanosphere array was demonstrated to be able to enhance the light harvesting of WS2. Based on this, a light-enhanced room-temperature gas sensor with a fast recovery speed (<35 s) and low detecting limit (500 ppb) was achieved. Moreover, the WS2-covered nanospheres on the microarchitectures were very sensitive to the changes in air pressure due to the formation of suspended sheets on the convex bumps and concave holes. A sensitive photoelectronic pressure sensor that was capable of detecting the airtightness of vacuum devices was developed using the WS2-decorated hierarchical architectures. This work provides a simple method for the fabrication of conformal nanospheres on arbitrary substrates, which is promising for three-dimensional microfabrication of multifunctional hierarchical microarchitectures for diverse applications, such as biomimetic compound eyes, smart wetting surfaces and photonic crystals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qirui Liu
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China; (Q.L.); (R.Z.); (Y.K.); (G.Z.)
| | - Yinlong Tan
- Beijing Institute for Advanced Study, National University of Defense Technology, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Renyan Zhang
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China; (Q.L.); (R.Z.); (Y.K.); (G.Z.)
| | - Yan Kang
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China; (Q.L.); (R.Z.); (Y.K.); (G.Z.)
| | - Ganying Zeng
- College of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China; (Q.L.); (R.Z.); (Y.K.); (G.Z.)
| | - Xiaoming Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Computing, College of Computer Science and Technology, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China;
| | - Tian Jiang
- Beijing Institute for Advanced Study, National University of Defense Technology, Beijing 100000, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Guan YS, Hu F, Li C, Ren S. Exciton-dipole coupling in two-dimensional rubrene assembly sensors. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:5640-5645. [PMID: 30864604 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr10373a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The selective detection of molecules with less energy consumption depends critically on novel sensing concepts and the emergence of new sensor materials. Excitons and dipole moments are two strongly correlated states that have shown coupled electronic interactions on the nanoscale, and they are highly sensitive to changes in their surroundings. Here, we present exciton-dipole coupling in the two-dimensional (2D) assembly of molecular rubrene excitonic crystals to selectively detect molecules. The presence of molecules with a dipole moment transforms excitons into charge transfer, resulting in a pronounced conductivity change of freestanding rubrene nanosheets. The exciton-dipole coupling exhibits highly efficient molecular selectivity, as it offers an unambiguous electronic fingerprint for the detection of molecules - in contrast to common sensing schemes relying on the quantification of intensity changes and optical peak shifts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Shi Guan
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang Z, Sakidja R, Hu F, Xu B, Ren S. Self-Assembled Metal Molecular Networks by Nanoconfinement. J Phys Chem Lett 2019; 10:206-213. [PMID: 30560671 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b03488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Quasi-two-dimensional (2D) metal molecular networks (MMNs) often exhibit a nanoconfinement effect and high degree of anisotropy, which are highly diverse in their mechanical, electronic, and magnetic functionalities. Here we report an interfacial self-assembly of mechanically robust 2D MMNs, in which 3d transition metals are interconnected via molecular thiol bridges. The Langmuir-Schäfer assembled freestanding 2D nanosheets exhibit highly desired anisotropic charge transport and spin susceptibility, in which light and magnetic field induced charge transfer regulates the electronic interactions. Meanwhile, the mechanistic studies involving electronic structure reveal the molecular metal packing structure-controlled nanoconfinement and charge transfer. This study opens the door to 2D ultrathin metal coordination nanostructures for emerging functional materials and devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuolei Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Research and Education in Energy, Environment & Water (RENEW) , University at Buffalo, The State University of New York , Buffalo , New York 14260 , United States
| | - Ridwan Sakidja
- Department of Physics Astronomy and Materials Science , Missouri State University , Springfield , Missouri 65897 , United States
| | - Feng Hu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Research and Education in Energy, Environment & Water (RENEW) , University at Buffalo, The State University of New York , Buffalo , New York 14260 , United States
| | - Beibei Xu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Research and Education in Energy, Environment & Water (RENEW) , University at Buffalo, The State University of New York , Buffalo , New York 14260 , United States
| | - Shenqiang Ren
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Research and Education in Energy, Environment & Water (RENEW) , University at Buffalo, The State University of New York , Buffalo , New York 14260 , United States
| |
Collapse
|