Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A carbon nanotube/graphene nanoplatelet pressure sensor prepared by combining 3D printing and freeze-drying method

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Polymer Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

With the development of wearable electronic devices, flexible sensors have received widespread attention, especially for high sensitivity sensors. However, sensors prepared by conventional processes such as hot pressing, vacuum filtration and so forth are not sensitive enough to meet the needs of healthy detection. In order to solve this problem, we proposed an hydrogel-based carbon nanotube/graphene nanoplatelet/ polydimethylsiloxane (CNT/GNP/PDMS are named as CGP) pressure sensor prepared by combining direct ink writing three-dimensional (DIW 3D) printing and freeze-drying method. The effect of number of matrix infiltration treatment on mechanical properties is also discussed. By utilizing the designability of the 3D printing, multiple CGP sensor samples can be prepared simultaneously, saving time cost in preparation process. The CGP sensors with 6 mm thickness have excellent sensitivity (The maximum gauge factor (GF) is 18.49), which is higher than that of 4 mm thicknesses and other preparation method like mold method. Meanwhile, we find that CGP sensor with 6 mm thickness has good cycling performance in a 5000-cycled test. Furthermore, a series of performance tests are also systematically conducted. Consequently, prepared CGP sensor has the potential to be applied in human motion and healthy detection due to high sensitivity, having excellent performance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

Data will be made available on request.

References

  1. Liu Y, Pharr M, Salvatore GA (2017) Lab-on-skin: a review of flexible and stretchable electronics for wearable health monitoring. ACS Nano 11(10):9614–9635

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Li Y, Chen W, Lu L (2020) Wearable and biodegradable sensors for human health monitoring. ACS Appl Bio Mater 4(1):122–139

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Gao Y et al (2019) Flexible hybrid sensors for Health Monitoring: materials and mechanisms to render wearability. Adv Mater 32(15):02133

  4. Gao W et al (2019) Flexible electronics toward wearable sensing. Acc Chem Res 52(3):523–533

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Wang J et al (2023) Flexible iontronic sensors with high-precision and high-sensitivity detection for pressure and temperature. Compos Commun 39:101544

  6. Li C et al (2023) Recyclable thermally conductive poly(butylene adipate-co‐terephthalate) composites prepared via forced infiltration. SusMat 3(3):345–361

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Tang L et al (2023) Flexible and robust functionalized boron nitride/poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) nanocomposite paper with high thermal conductivity and outstanding electrical insulation. Nanomicro Lett 16(1):38

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Li R et al (2021) Research progress of flexible capacitive pressure sensor for sensitivity enhancement approaches. Sens Actuators A: Phys 321:112425

  9. Luo Y et al (2019) Flexible capacitive pressure sensor enhanced by tilted micropillar arrays. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 11(19):17796–17803

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Yang J et al (2023) Layered structural PBAT composite foams for efficient electromagnetic interference shielding. Nanomicro Lett 16(1):31

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Ji F et al (2022) Flexible piezoresistive pressure sensors based on nanocellulose aerogels for human motion monitoring: A review. Compos Commun 35:101351

  12. Wang Y et al (2022) Ti3C2Tx MXene-based flexible piezoresistive physical sensors. ACS Nano 16(2):1734–1758

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Ma Y et al (2017) A highly flexible and sensitive piezoresistive sensor based on MXene with greatly changed interlayer distances. Nat Commun 8(1):1207

  14. Chen Z et al (2017) Flexible piezoelectric-induced pressure sensors for static measurements based on nanowires/graphene heterostructures. ACS Nano 11(5):4507–4513

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Luo J et al (2021) Flexible piezoelectric pressure sensor with high sensitivity for electronic skin using near-field electrohydrodynamic direct-writing method. Extreme Mech Lett 48:101279

  16. Wei C et al (2024) Hollow engineering of sandwich NC@Co/NC@MnO2 composites toward strong wideband electromagnetic wave attenuation. J Mater Sci Technol 175:194–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Yi Y et al (2022) Flexible piezoresistive strain sensor based on CNTs–polymer composites: a brief review. Carbon Lett 32(3):713–726

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Lamba M et al (2022) Graphene piezoresistive flexible MEMS force sensor for bi-axial micromanipulation applications. Microsyst Technol 28(7):1687–1699

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Fan X et al (2023) Low dielectric constant and highly intrinsic thermal conductivity fluorine-containing epoxy resins with ordered liquid crystal structures. SusMat 3(6):877–893

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Tian H et al (2015) A graphene-based resistive pressure sensor with record-high sensitivity in a wide pressure range. Sci Rep 5:8603

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Shi J et al (2018) Multiscale hierarchical design of a flexible piezoresistive pressure sensor with high sensitivity and wide linearity range. Small 14(27):e1800819

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhang J et al (2023) Effect of the structure of epoxy monomers and curing agents: toward making intrinsically highly thermally conductive and low-dielectric epoxy resins. JACS Au 3(12):3424–3435

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Wang M et al (2022) Bioinspired flexible piezoresistive sensor for high-sensitivity detection of broad pressure range. Bio-Design Manuf 6(3):243–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Li C et al (2023) Preparation of short carbon fiber/polydimethylsiloxane conductive composites based on continuous spatial-confining network assembly technique. Adv Eng Mater 26:2301117

  25. Ruan K et al (2023) Electric-field-induced alignment of functionalized carbon nanotubes inside thermally conductive liquid crystalline polyimide composite films. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 62(38):e202309010

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Li W et al (2021) Synergy of porous structure and microstructure in piezoresistive material for high-performance and flexible pressure sensors. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 13(16):19211–19220

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Zhang F et al (2015) Flexible and self-powered temperature–pressure dual-parameter sensors using microstructure-frame-supported organic thermoelectric materials. Nat Commun 6(1):8356

  28. Ma T et al (2023) Controlled length and number of thermal conduction pathways for copper wire/poly(lactic acid) composites via 3D printing. Sci China Mater 66(10):4012–4021

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Yu K.J et al (2017) Inorganic semiconducting materials for flexible and stretchable electronics. NPJ Flex Electron 1(1):4

  30. Truong PL et al (2023) Advancement in COVID-19 detection using nanomaterial-based biosensors. Explor (Beijing) 3(1):20210232

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Zhu F et al (2023) Molten salt electro-preparation of graphitic carbons. Explor (Beijing) 3(1):20210186

    Google Scholar 

  32. Tang R et al (2021) Flexible pressure sensors with microstructures. Nano Select 2(10):1874–1901

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Zhu H et al (2023) Flexible, high-sensitive and multifunctional wearable sensor based on the dual bioinspired spinosum microstructure of carbon nanotube/carbon black-coated polydimethylsiloxane film. Measurement 207:112402

  34. Lin Y et al (2023) Polysilsesquioxane-PBO wave-transparent composite paper with excellent mechanical properties and ultraviolet aging resistance. Adv Fiber Mater 5(6):2114–2126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Yang H et al (2022) Polyurethane sponges-based ultrasensitive pressure sensor via bioinspired microstructure generated by pre-strain strategy. Compos Sci Technol 221:109308

  36. Wu G et al (2021) Fabrication of capacitive pressure sensor with extraordinary sensitivity and wide sensing range using PAM/BIS/GO nanocomposite hydrogel and conductive fabric. Compos Part A: Appl Sci Manufac 145:106373

  37. Han S-T et al (2017) An overview of the development of flexible sensors. Adv Mater 29(33):1700375

  38. Jian M et al (2017) Advanced carbon materials for flexible and wearable sensors. Sci China Mater 60(11):1026–1062

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Ruan K, Gu J (2022) Ordered alignment of liquid crystalline graphene fluoride for significantly enhancing thermal conductivities of liquid crystalline polyimide composite films. Macromolecules 55(10):4134–4145

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Ma T-B et al (2022) Thermally conductive poly(lactic acid) composites with Superior Electromagnetic shielding performances via 3D Printing Technology. Chin J Polym Sci 40(3):248–255

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Liu C et al (2018) 3D printing technologies for flexible tactile sensors toward wearable electronics and electronic skin. Polymers (Basel) 10(6):629

  42. Mousavi S et al (2020) Direct 3D printing of highly anisotropic, flexible, constriction-resistive sensors for multidirectional proprioception in soft robots. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 12(13):15631–15643

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Hao W et al (2018) Preparation and characterization of 3D printed continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermosetting composites. Polym Test 65:29–34

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Zhang Z et al (2023) Design and analysis of multistable curvilinear-fiber laminates based on continuous fiber 3D printing of thermosetting resin matrix. Compos Struct 307:116616

  45. Park SJ et al (2020) 3D printing of bio-based polycarbonate and its potential applications in ecofriendly indoor manufacturing. Additive Manuf 31:100974

  46. Christ JF et al (2017) 3D printed highly elastic strain sensors of multiwalled carbon nanotube/thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites. Mater Design 131:394–401

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Gunasekaran HB et al (2022) Facile fabrication of highly sensitive thermoplastic polyurethane sensors with surface- and interface-impregnated 3D conductive networks. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 14(19):22615–22625

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Ozbolat V et al (2018) 3D printing of PDMS improves its mechanical and cell adhesion properties. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 4(2):682–693

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Zhang H et al (2022) 3D printing of continuous carbon fibre reinforced powder-based epoxy composites. Compos Commun 33:101239

  50. Singh S, Prakash C, Ramakrishna S (2019) 3D printing of polyether-ether-ketone for biomedical applications. Eur Polymer J 114:234–248

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Bhattacharjee N et al (2018) Desktop-stereolithography 3D-printing of a poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based material with sylgard-184 properties. Adv Mater 30(22):e1800001

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  52. Zhao C et al (2020) 3D-printed highly stable flexible strain sensor based on silver-coated-glass fiber-filled conductive silicon rubber. Mater Design 193:108788

  53. Chen Z et al (2019) 3D Printing of Multifunctional Hydrogels. Adv Funct Mater 29(20):1900971

  54. An Y et al (2023) Designable thermal conductivity and mechanical property of polydimethylsiloxane-based composite prepared by thermoset 3D printing. Compos Sci Technol 241:110119

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study is supported financially by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52003019), Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST (No. 2022QNRC001), Joint Project of BRC-BC (Biomedical Translational Engineering Research Center of BUCT-CJFH) (No. XK2022-10).

Author information

Author notes

  1. Yi An and Yuanmin Chen contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China

    Yi An, Yuanmin Chen, Jiaming Liu, Ruichen Zhou, Wenhao Wang, Yajiao Li, Hong Xu, Daming Wu & Jingyao Sun

  2. State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China

    Xiaoli Wang, Daming Wu & Jingyao Sun

  3. Aerospace Research Institute of Materials and Processing Technology, Beijing, 100076, China

    Xiaoli Wang

Authors
  1. Yi An
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuanmin Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jiaming Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ruichen Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Wenhao Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yajiao Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Hong Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Xiaoli Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Daming Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Jingyao Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Xiaoli Wang or Jingyao Sun.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

There is no conflict to declare.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary Material 1

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

An, Y., Chen, Y., Liu, J. et al. A carbon nanotube/graphene nanoplatelet pressure sensor prepared by combining 3D printing and freeze-drying method. J Polym Res 31, 129 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-024-03972-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-024-03972-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation