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Anisotropy of resistance-type strain sensing networks based on aligned carbon nanofiber membrane

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Abstract

Carbon nanofiber (CNF) is a promising nanomaterial to prepare the strain sensor due to the simple preparation and high controllability. Despite the sensors have been developed based on CNFs, it is still a challenge to detect the full deformation with high sensitivity. In this study, we prepare the aligned semitransparent graphene-reinforced CNF membrane (G-CNFM) by electrospinning. The anisotropy of sensing performance of the ultrathin sensor was demonstrated. The sensor along parallel direction shows high sensitivity in the wide strain range of 0.1–38%. Moreover, the high durability can be obtained for over 1000 cycles at the subtle strain of 0.1% and high strain of 30%. The high linearity was also obtained under the low strain. The low sensitivity was exhibited along perpendicular direction, and the sensor was still working for 1000 cycles at 60% strain. The sensing mechanism was analyzed according to the microstructures of cracks. The thickness, the aligned degree and the width of G-CNFM and the thickness of TPU substrate show effects on the strain levels and sensitivity. The strain sensors can detect the full deformation caused by personal physiological movements and body motions. The sensor made using aligned G-CNFM may be used for various smart wearable electronic applications.

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Acknowledgements

Funding support from Third-Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Primary Research and Development Plan of Jiangsu Province (Grant Number BE2019045) and Jiangsu Planned Projects for Postdoctoral Research Funds (Grant Number 2020Z251).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Textile and Clothing Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, People’s Republic of China

    Tao Yan, Yuting Wu & Zhijuan Pan

  2. National Engineering Laboratory for Modern Silk (Suzhou), Suzhou, 215123, People’s Republic of China

    Tao Yan & Zhijuan Pan

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  1. Tao Yan
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  2. Yuting Wu
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Correspondence to Zhijuan Pan.

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Yan, T., Wu, Y. & Pan, Z. Anisotropy of resistance-type strain sensing networks based on aligned carbon nanofiber membrane. J Mater Sci 56, 6292–6305 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-05736-7

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