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Research Article

Synthesis of silicone blocked bio-polyurethane and its application in highly stretchable fiber-shaped strain sensor

Zhanxu Liu1,§, Chenchen Li1,§, Xiaofeng Zhang1, Hongxing Xu1, Yanfen Zhou1(), Mingwei Tian1, Shaojuan Chen1, Stephen Jerrams2, Feng-Lei Zhou1,3, Liang Jiang1()
College of Textiles and Clothing, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
Centre for Elastomer Research, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), Dublin D08 NF82, Ireland
Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London WC1V 6LJ, UK

§ Zhanxu Liu and Chenchen Li contributed equally to this work.

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A silicone blocked polyurethane (Si-BPU) with high stretchability and degradability was synthesized. Fibrous strain sensors were fabricated by Si-BPU and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and applied for monitoring tiny and large human body movements.

Abstract

Flexible strain sensors have become a key component of intelligent wearable electronics. However, the fabrication of strain sensors with wide workable strain ranges and high sensitivity remains a great challenge. Additionally, the rapid development of polymer composites based strain sensors has produced a large amount of e-waste. Therefore, the development of strain sensors with wide strain sensing ranges and high sensitivity based on degradable materials is necessary. In this work, a silicone blocked polyurethane (Si-BPU) with high stretchability and degradability was synthesized and composited with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to fabricate fibrous strain sensors. The synthesized 0.5% Si-BPU exhibited good biodegradability with a weight loss of 16.47% in 42 days. The Si-BPU/12CNTs fiber based strain sensor achieved a sensing range of 0%–353.3% strain, gauge factor (GF) of 206.3 at 250% strain and of 4,513.2 at 353.3% strain, and reliable stability under 10,000 repeated stretching–releasing cycles. Moreover, the Si-BPU/12CNTs strain sensor showed rapid response time (< 163 ms) and was capable of monitoring various human body movements (elbow bending, finger bending, breath, and swallow). In consequence, this work provides a new and effective strategy for the development of sustainable wearable electronic devices.

Keywords

degradabilitywet spinningconductivitywearable sensors

Electronic Supplementary Material

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Nano Research
Volume 16 Issue 5,
May 2023
Pages 7982-7990
DOI: 10.1007/s12274-022-5344-9
Cite this article:
Liu Z, Li C, Zhang X, et al. Synthesis of silicone blocked bio-polyurethane and its application in highly stretchable fiber-shaped strain sensor. Nano Research, 2023, 16(5): 7982-7990. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-022-5344-9
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