Optimisation of properties of multidimensional hybrid polymer nanocomposites for flexible pressure sensors

Flexible, wearable pressure sensors provide a convenient, timely, and portable solution for human motion detection. However, there is still a lack of reports on the synergistic effect of multidimensional hybrid polymer nanocomposites for modulating the sensor’s key performance indexes. Herein, we present a cost-effective and scalable approach to preparing multidimensional hybrid polymer composites for piezoresistive pressure sensors. Composite charge-transfer paths and contact types are presented for the first time and analyzed in relation to the sensor sensitivity and linearity. The sensor has good characteristics, such as 0 ∼ 70 kPa range, 369.39 kPa−1 sensitivity, a minimum resolving power of 18 Pa and 68 ms, and 76 ms response and recovery times, owing to the interconnecting porous structure of MS and the synergistic effect of the composites. The sensor exhibited a stable piezoresistive response and good reproducibility over 9000 + cycles. The sensor was then attached to different parts of the human body and evaluated for its ability to detect various human movements, including speech and elbow flexion. Finally, a prototype haptic sensing array and a prototype force measurement platform based on these pressure sensors were demonstrated.