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A Highly Transparent Self-Powered Touch Sensor Based on Hierarchical (Micro-Nano) Cu Grid on Polyethylene Terephthalate Composite Electrodes for Smart Wear

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Abstract

With the expansion of the applications of sensors, requirements such as flexibility, visual transparency, and self-powering have become critical. In this work, firstly we have adopted photoetch and hierarchical (micro-nano) manufacturing techniques to fabricate a micro-scale copper grid on polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This material (Cu grid @PET) exhibits high transmittance (89% at 550 nm, only 2.7% lower than PET substrate) and low electric resistance (6.7 Ω sq−1) compared with other reports. Then, the as-fabricated Cu grid @PET composite electrode, poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were utilized to fabricate a sandwich-like structured transparent self-powered sensor (TSPFS) with high optical transmittance of 85.5-87.5% (450  ~ 620 nm). A complete novel control method combining with sensor’s electrical signal test was implemented by Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA), verifying the simulation response to space of COMSOL. Voltage signals could be also observed when the sensor was touched by fingers without receiving electric energy from external sources. Finally, the paper shows a kind of smart goggles made of the produced transparent device, exhibiting heating, antifogging, and sensing functions.

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Acknowledgments

The research was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 61874015), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2018YFC0117202), the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (2022NSCQ-BHX5234), and the Chongqing Venture & Innovation Support Program for Chongqing Overseas Returnees (No. CX2019031).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technology & Systems Ministry of Education, Department of Optoelectronic Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Weiqi Cao, Wenqian Lei & Hua Yu

  2. Chongqing 2D Material Institute, Liangjiang New Area, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Weiqi Cao & Majid Shaker

  3. Lehrstuhl Für Physikalische Chemie II, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstraße 3, 91058, Erlangen, Germany

    Majid Shaker

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  1. Weiqi Cao
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  4. Hua Yu
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Contributions

WC and HY initiated the study, proposed the approach of the research and supervised the research. HY and WL provided theory consultant. WC prepared the nanogenerator including design, fabrication, Characterization and then simulated and analyzed the research. MS prepared the manuscript and helped with the results analysis. All authors revised the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Weiqi Cao or Hua Yu.

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Cao, W., Shaker, M., Lei, W. et al. A Highly Transparent Self-Powered Touch Sensor Based on Hierarchical (Micro-Nano) Cu Grid on Polyethylene Terephthalate Composite Electrodes for Smart Wear. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 33, 362–371 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-023-07967-6

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