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Zhou Z, Tang W, Xu T, Zhao W, Zhang J, Bai C. Flexible Strain Sensors Based on Thermoplastic Polyurethane Fabricated by Electrospinning: A Review. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:4793. [PMID: 39123838 PMCID: PMC11314693 DOI: 10.3390/s24154793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Over recent years, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) has been widely used as a substrate material for flexible strain sensors due to its remarkable mechanical flexibility and the ease of combining various conductive materials by electrospinning. Many research advances have been made in the preparation of flexible strain sensors with better ductility, higher sensitivity, and wider sensing range by using TPU in combination with various conductive materials through electrospinning. However, there is a lack of reviews that provide a systematic and comprehensive summary and outlook of recent research advances in this area. In this review paper, the working principles of strain sensors and electrospinning technology are initially described. Subsequently, recent advances in strain sensors based on electrospun TPU are tracked and discussed, with a focus on the incorporation of various conductive fillers such as carbonaceous materials, MXene, metallic materials, and conductive polymers. Moreover, the wide range of applications of electrospun TPU flexible strain sensors is thoroughly discussed. Finally, the future prospects and challenges of electrospun TPU flexible strain sensors in various fields are pointed out.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jingjing Zhang
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou 571799, China; (Z.Z.); (W.T.); (T.X.); (W.Z.)
| | - Chuanwu Bai
- School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Danzhou 571799, China; (Z.Z.); (W.T.); (T.X.); (W.Z.)
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Liu F, Bai D, Xie D, Lv F, Shen L, Tian Z, Zhao J. Additive Manufacturing of Stretchable Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Thermoplastic Polyurethanes Conducting Polymers for Strain Sensing. 3D PRINTING AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 2024; 11:e698-e708. [PMID: 39246677 PMCID: PMC11378349 DOI: 10.1089/3dp.2022.0223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
With the development of science and technology, flexible sensors play an indispensable role in body monitoring. Rapid prototyping of high-performance flexible sensors has become an important method to develop flexible sensors. The purpose of this study was to develop a flexible resin with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for the rapid fabrication of flexible sensors using digital light processing additive manufacturing. In this study, MWCNTs were mixed in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) photosensitive resin to prepare polymer-matrix composites, and a flexible strain sensor was prepared using self-developed additive equipment. The results showed that the 1.2 wt% MWCNTs/TPU composite flexible sensor had high gauge factor of 9.988 with a linearity up to 45% strain and high mechanical durability (1000 cycles). Furthermore, the sensor could be used for gesture recognition and monitoring and has good performance. This method is expected to provide a new idea for the rapid personalized forming of flexible sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuxi Liu
- Department of Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
- JITRI Institute of Precision Manufacturing, Nanjing, China
| | - Dezhi Bai
- Department of Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
| | - Deqiao Xie
- College of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
| | - Fei Lv
- Laboratory of High Power Fiber Laser Technology, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lida Shen
- Department of Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
| | - Zongjun Tian
- Department of Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
- JITRI Institute of Precision Manufacturing, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianfeng Zhao
- Department of Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
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Li X, Wu M, Ma W, Zhou X, Chen J, Ren Q, Li S, Xiao P, Wang L, Zheng W. Development of Eco-Friendly and High-Strength Foam Sensors Based on Segregated Elastomer Composites with a Large Work Range and High Sensitivity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023. [PMID: 38032835 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c13458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Achieving a high-strength piezoresistive foam with high sensitivity and a large workable range remains a major challenge. To realize these goals, we developed a facile, novel, and eco-friendly strategy for constructing segregated microcellular structures fabricated using coating, heat compression molding, and supercritical CO2 (ScCO2) foaming. The segregated poly(ether block amide) (PEBA)/carbon nanostructure (CNS) composites were fabricated via compression molding. This effectively improved the foamability and cell morphology of PEBA/CNS composites. Moreover, compared with the randomly distributed structure, the segregated structure also endowed the foams with better conductivity and sensing capability. Subsequently, the ScCO2 foaming was employed to fabricate segregated PEBA/CNS composite foams. The foaming gave composites a large compressibility and reduced their percolation threshold. Under 1 wt % CNS loading, via tuning the expansion ratio of foam from ∼2.1 to 4.1, the compression stress at 50% compression strain of foam varied from ∼3.3 to 0.5 MPa, and the conductivity changed from 4.89 × 10-3 to 1.93 × 10-6 s/m, implying a tunable conductivity. Additionally, the adjustable conductivity enabled the sensitivity of segregated composite foams to be regulated. The segregated PEBA/CNS foam (FCNS1-4.1) exhibited a good combination of high sensitivity (GF = 3.5), large work range (80% strain), and high compression strength (∼0.5 MPa at 50% strain) as well as a stable, reproducible, and durable sensing response under a low CNS content (∼0.11 vol %). Furthermore, the ΔI/I0 of FCNS1-4.1 (75.6% porosity) reached a high value of ∼810 and exhibited an ultrahigh sensitivity of ∼3706 (Δ I / I 0 ε ) from 60 to 80% strain. Moreover, the foam sensor could be used as a sensing function sole for monitoring diverse human motions. Therefore, the segregated PEBA/CNS composite foams with outstanding piezoresistive performances show promising potential applications in monitoring human motions as wearable electronics and provides a new design strategy for a new generation of foam sensors with high performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyun Li
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Minghui Wu
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Wenyu Ma
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiao Zhou
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Jiali Chen
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qian Ren
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shan Li
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Peng Xiao
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Long Wang
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wenge Zheng
- Ningbo Key Lab of Polymer Materials, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Desai SM, Sonawane RY, More AP. Thermoplastic polyurethane for three‐dimensional printing applications: A review. POLYM ADVAN TECHNOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/pat.6041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
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Preparation of Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Composite Foam with High Resilience Performance via Fused Filament Fabrication and CO2 Foaming Technique. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15061535. [PMID: 36987314 PMCID: PMC10054835 DOI: 10.3390/polym15061535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Wearable flexible sensors with high sensitivity and wide detection range are applied in motion detection, medical diagnostic result and other fields, but poor resilience and hysteresis remain a challenge. In this study, a high-resilience foam sensor was prepared through a combination of additive manufacturing and green physical foaming method. The conductive filaments were prepared by using MWCNTs-modified TPU by the physical method of melt blending. Samples were prefabricated using the FFF printer and then saturated with CO2 in an autoclave before being removed and heated to foam. The composite foam effectively reduced residual strain, demonstrating the high resilience of the 3D-printed composite materials with a foam porous structure. The residual strain of the sample before foaming was >6% after a single cycle, and then gradually increased. The residual strain of the foamed samples is less than 5%. In addition, composite foam has high sensitivity and can monitor subtle pressure changes (0~40 kPa). The sensing performance of the composite foam was evaluated, and the current signal remained stable under different loading rates and small compression strains (2~5%). By using this highly resilient conductive composite material, a hierarchical shoe insole was designed that successfully detected human walking and running movements.
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Zheng Y, Gunasekaran HB, Peng S, Liu S, Wu L, Wang J, Zhang X. Fluid-assisted one-step fabrication of fused deposition molding 3D printing parts with conductive networks and gradient functionalities. POLYMER 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2023.125716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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