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Chen Y, Zhang X, Lu C. Flexible piezoelectric materials and strain sensors for wearable electronics and artificial intelligence applications. Chem Sci 2024:d4sc05166a. [PMID: 39355228 PMCID: PMC11440360 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc05166a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024] Open
Abstract
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the applications of flexible piezoelectric sensors in health monitoring and human-machine interaction have attracted increasing attention. Recent advances in flexible materials and fabrication technologies have promoted practical applications of wearable devices, enabling their assembly in various forms such as ultra-thin films, electronic skins and electronic tattoos. These piezoelectric sensors meet the requirements of high integration, miniaturization and low power consumption, while simultaneously maintaining their unique sensing performance advantages. This review provides a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge research studies on enhanced wearable piezoelectric sensors. Promising piezoelectric polymer materials are highlighted, including polyvinylidene fluoride and conductive hydrogels. Material engineering strategies for improving sensitivity, cycle life, biocompatibility, and processability are summarized and discussed focusing on filler doping, fabrication techniques optimization, and microstructure engineering. Additionally, this review presents representative application cases of smart piezoelectric sensors in health monitoring and human-machine interaction. Finally, critical challenges and promising principles concerning advanced manufacture, biological safety and function integration are discussed to shed light on future directions in the field of piezoelectrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyu Chen
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University Suzhou Jiangsu 215123 China
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials, Soochow University Suzhou Jiangsu 215123 China
| | - Chao Lu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University Suzhou Jiangsu 215123 China
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Persano L, Camposeo A, Matino F, Wang R, Natarajan T, Li Q, Pan M, Su Y, Kar-Narayan S, Auricchio F, Scalet G, Bowen C, Wang X, Pisignano D. Advanced Materials for Energy Harvesting and Soft Robotics: Emerging Frontiers to Enhance Piezoelectric Performance and Functionality. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2405363. [PMID: 39291876 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202405363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
Piezoelectric energy harvesting captures mechanical energy from a number of sources, such as vibrations, the movement of objects and bodies, impact events, and fluid flow to generate electric power. Such power can be employed to support wireless communication, electronic components, ocean monitoring, tissue engineering, and biomedical devices. A variety of self-powered piezoelectric sensors, transducers, and actuators have been produced for these applications, however approaches to enhance the piezoelectric properties of materials to increase device performance remain a challenging frontier of materials research. In this regard, the intrinsic polarization and properties of materials can be designed or deliberately engineered to enhance the piezo-generated power. This review provides insights into the mechanisms of piezoelectricity in advanced materials, including perovskites, active polymers, and natural biomaterials, with a focus on the chemical and physical strategies employed to enhance the piezo-response and facilitate their integration into complex electronic systems. Applications in energy harvesting and soft robotics are overviewed by highlighting the primary performance figures of merits, the actuation mechanisms, and relevant applications. Key breakthroughs and valuable strategies to further improve both materials and device performance are discussed, together with a critical assessment of the requirements of next-generation piezoelectric systems, and future scientific and technological solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Persano
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, I-56127, Italy
| | - Andrea Camposeo
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, I-56127, Italy
| | - Francesca Matino
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, I-56127, Italy
| | - Ruoxing Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, 53707, USA
| | - Thiyagarajan Natarajan
- Department of Materials Science, University of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Qinlan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Min Pan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Yewang Su
- State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Sohini Kar-Narayan
- Department of Materials Science, University of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK
| | - Ferdinando Auricchio
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 3, Pavia, I-27100, Italy
| | - Giulia Scalet
- Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, via Ferrata 3, Pavia, I-27100, Italy
| | - Chris Bowen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, 53707, USA
| | - Dario Pisignano
- Dipartimento di Fisica "E. Fermi", Università di Pisa, Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, Pisa, I-56127, Italy
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Cao C, Zhou P, Wang J, Liu M, Wang P, Qi Y, Zhang T. Ultrahigh sensitive and rapid-response self-powered flexible pressure sensor based on sandwiched piezoelectric composites. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 664:902-915. [PMID: 38493655 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.03.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Flexible sensors and actuators are the basis for realizing the Internet of Everything. This study identifies specific interfacial polarization and filler dispersion challenges in flexible sensors. A novel sandwich-structured flexible sensor with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-filled Nb2CTx as the interlayer and poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)]-filled barium titanate (BTO) as the upper and lower layers was designed and fabricated. The thickness of the interlayer was optimized to be 6.2 μm, resulting in an ultrahigh sensitivity of 16.05 V/N and ultrashort response time of 626 μs. The interlayer achieved an oriented arrangement of the dipoles in the upper and lower piezoelectric films through interfacial polarization, enhancing the piezoelectric output and sensitivity. The proposed mechanism was confirmed by the dielectric properties, local piezoelectric response, cross-sectional potential simulation, and interfacial electrical calculations. Additionally, the sensor effectively distinguishes various body movements, facial micro-expressions, and throat vibrations during vocalization, and can be applied to ultrahigh-sensitive self-powered flexible piezoelectric pressure sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Cao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Peng Zhou
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Jianqiao Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Miaoxuan Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Peng Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China
| | - Yajun Qi
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China.
| | - Tianjin Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials Co-constructed by the Province and Ministry, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, PR China.
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Hsieh GW, Chien CY. Wearable Capacitive Tactile Sensor Based on Porous Dielectric Composite of Polyurethane and Silver Nanowire. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3816. [PMID: 37765670 PMCID: PMC10535873 DOI: 10.3390/polym15183816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the implementation of wearable and biocompatible tactile sensing elements with sufficient response into healthcare, medical detection, and electronic skin/amputee prosthetics has been an intriguing but challenging quest. Here, we propose a flexible all-polyurethane capacitive tactile sensor that utilizes a salt crystal-templated porous elastomeric framework filling with silver nanowire as the composite dielectric material, sandwiched by a set of polyurethane films covering silver nanowire networks as electrodes. With the aids of these cubic air pores and conducting nanowires, the fabricated capacitive tactile sensor provides pronounced enhancement of both sensor compressibility and effective relative dielectric permittivity across a broad pressure regime (from a few Pa to tens of thousands of Pa). The fabricated silver nanowire-porous polyurethane sensor presents a sensitivity improvement of up to 4-60 times as compared to a flat polyurethane device. An ultrasmall external stimulus as light as 3 mg, equivalent to an applied pressure of ∼0.3 Pa, can also be clearly recognized. Our all-polyurethane capacitive tactile sensor based on a porous dielectric framework hybrid with conducting nanowire reveals versatile potential applications in physiological activity detection, arterial pulse monitoring, and spatial pressure distribution, paving the way for wearable electronics and artificial skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen-Wen Hsieh
- Institute of Lighting and Energy Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 301, Gaofa 3rd Road, Section 2, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Yang Chien
- Institute of Photonic System, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 301, Section 2, Gaofa 3rd Road, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan
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Yan M, Liu S, Liu Y, Xiao Z, Yuan X, Zhai D, Zhou K, Wang Q, Zhang D, Bowen C, Zhang Y. Flexible PVDF-TrFE Nanocomposites with Ag-decorated BCZT Heterostructures for Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Applications. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:53261-53273. [PMID: 36379056 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c15581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators are playing an important role in delivering power to next-generation wearable electronic devices due to their high-power density and potential to create self-powered sensors for the Internet of Things. Among the range of available piezoelectric materials, poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE)-based piezoelectric composites exhibit significant potential for flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator applications. However, the high electric fields that are required for poling cannot be readily applied to polymer composites containing piezoelectric fillers due to the high permittivity contrast between the filler and matrix, which reduces the dielectric strength. In this paper, novel Ag-decorated BCZT heterostructures were synthesized via a photoreduction method, which were introduced at a low level (3 wt %) into the matrix of PVDF-TrFE to fabricate piezoelectric composite films. The effect of Ag nanoparticle loading content on the dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties was investigated in detail, where a maximum piezoelectric energy-harvesting figure of merit of 5.68 × 10-12 m2/N was obtained in a 0.04Ag-BCZT NWs/PVDF-TrFE composite film, where 0.04 represents the concentration of the AgNO3 solution. Modeling showed that an optimum performance was achieved by tailoring the fraction and distribution of the conductive silver nanoparticles to achieve a careful balance between generating electric field concentrations to increase the level of polarization, while not degrading the dielectric strength. This work therefore provides a strategy for the design and manufacture of highly polarized piezoelectric composite films for piezoelectric nanogenerator applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha410083, Hunan, China
| | - Shengwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha410083, Hunan, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha410083, Hunan, China
| | - Zhida Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha410083, Hunan, China
| | - Xi Yuan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha410083, Hunan, China
| | - Di Zhai
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha410083, Hunan, China
| | - Kechao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha410083, Hunan, China
| | - Qingping Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, United Kingdom, BathBA2 7AY, U.K
| | - Dou Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha410083, Hunan, China
| | - Chris Bowen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, United Kingdom, BathBA2 7AY, U.K
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University, Changsha410083, Hunan, China
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Li Y, Zheng L, Song L, Han Y, Yang Y, Tan C. Toward Balanced Piezoelectric and Mechanical Performance: 3D Printed Polyvinylidene Fluoride/Carbon Nanotube Energy Harvester with Hierarchical Structure. Ind Eng Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c01832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Li
- Material Corrosion and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Lang Zheng
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China
| | - Li Song
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Ying Han
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Polymer Research Institute of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Material Corrosion and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China
| | - Changbin Tan
- Material Corrosion and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Zigong 643000, China
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Hsieh GW, Shih LC, Chen PY. Porous Polydimethylsiloxane Elastomer Hybrid with Zinc Oxide Nanowire for Wearable, Wide-Range, and Low Detection Limit Capacitive Pressure Sensor. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:256. [PMID: 35055273 PMCID: PMC8779111 DOI: 10.3390/nano12020256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We propose a flexible capacitive pressure sensor that utilizes porous polydimethylsiloxane elastomer with zinc oxide nanowire as nanocomposite dielectric layer via a simple porogen-assisted process. With the incorporation of nanowires into the porous elastomer, our capacitive pressure sensor is not only highly responsive to subtle stimuli but vigorously so to gentle touch and verbal stimulation from 0 to 50 kPa. The fabricated zinc oxide nanowire-porous polydimethylsiloxane sensor exhibits superior sensitivity of 0.717 kPa-1, 0.360 kPa-1, and 0.200 kPa-1 at the pressure regimes of 0-50 Pa, 50-1000 Pa, and 1000-3000 Pa, respectively, presenting an approximate enhancement by 21-100 times when compared to that of a flat polydimethylsiloxane device. The nanocomposite dielectric layer also reveals an ultralow detection limit of 1.0 Pa, good stability, and durability after 4000 loading-unloading cycles, making it capable of perception of various human motions, such as finger bending, calligraphy writing, throat vibration, and airflow blowing. A proof-of-concept trial in hydrostatic water pressure sensing has been demonstrated with the proposed sensors, which can detect tiny changes in water pressure and may be helpful for underwater sensing research. This work brings out the efficacy of constructing wearable capacitive pressure sensors based on a porous dielectric hybrid with stress-sensitive nanostructures, providing wide prospective applications in wearable electronics, health monitoring, and smart artificial robotics/prosthetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen-Wen Hsieh
- Institute of Lighting and Energy Photonics, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 301, Section 2, Gaofa 3rd Road, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Cheng Shih
- Institute of Photonic System, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 301, Gaofa 3rd Road, Section 2, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan; (L.-C.S.); (P.-Y.C.)
| | - Pei-Yuan Chen
- Institute of Photonic System, College of Photonics, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, 301, Gaofa 3rd Road, Section 2, Guiren District, Tainan 71150, Taiwan; (L.-C.S.); (P.-Y.C.)
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Wang Y, Zhu L, Du C. Progress in Piezoelectric Nanogenerators Based on PVDF Composite Films. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12111278. [PMID: 34832688 PMCID: PMC8624520 DOI: 10.3390/mi12111278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, great progress has been made in the field of energy harvesting to satisfy increasing needs for portable, sustainable, and renewable energy. Among piezoelectric materials, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers are the most promising materials for piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) due to their unique electroactivity, high flexibility, good machinability, and long–term stability. So far, PVDF–based PENGs have made remarkable progress. In this paper, the effects of the existence of various nanofillers, including organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites, inorganic lead halide perovskites, perovskite–type oxides, semiconductor piezoelectric materials, two–dimensional layered materials, and ions, in PVDF and its copolymer structure on their piezoelectric response and energy–harvesting properties are reviewed. This review will enable researchers to understand the piezoelectric mechanisms of the PVDF–based composite–film PENGs, so as to effectively convert environmental mechanical stimulus into electrical energy, and finally realize self–powered sensors or high–performance power sources for electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Wang
- School of Civil and Resources Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China;
| | - Laipan Zhu
- Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101400, China
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (C.D.)
| | - Cuifeng Du
- School of Civil and Resources Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China;
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (C.D.)
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