Research progress in hydrogels for high⁃sensitivity strain sensors

doi:10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2024.09.013

Abstract

Abstract:

This review provided a comprehensive overview in four types of strain sensors， including piezoelectric， resistive， triboelectric， and capacitive strain sensors， and their sensing mechanisms were summarized. The essential methods for improving the sensitivity of hydrogel strain sensors were discussed， which involved the selection of suitable materials such as conductive nanoparticles and ionic materials and the adoption of specific structural designs such as microspheres， sawtooth⁃like patterns， and porous structures. A comprehensive integration of these factors was also involved. These strategies enable the hydrogel strain sensors to obtain a high sensitivity. Furthermore， the application of hydrogel strain sensors in the fields of smart electronics， wearable devices， and medical health were introduced. Finally， the current challenges and the prospect of future opportunities in the development and applications of hydrogel strain sensors were discussed.

Key words: hydrogel, strain sensor, sensing mechanism, high sensitivity

CLC Number:

TQ322

SONG Shasha, SI Xingyu, ZHENG Niming, YU Ying, ZHANG Yang. Research progress in hydrogels for high⁃sensitivity strain sensors[J]. China Plastics, 2024, 38(9): 73-81.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig.1. Working mechanism of hydrogel strain sensor

Fig.2. Schematic diagram of sodium polyacrylate micro gel transmitting electrical signals to hydrogel by releasing Na+［33］.

Fig.3. High sensitivity characteristic mechanism of hydrogel strain sensor based on structure

Fig.4. Construction of the autonomous electrical phytoactuator［46］

Fig.5. （a） Application of MXene/PAA hydrogel in HMI electronic products［47］；（b） signal test maps connected to different parts of the body for monitoring various joint movements［14］；（c） PACT⁃P hydrogel electronic sensor is used for real⁃time monitoring of human movement［42］

Fig.6. High sensitivity hydrogel strain sensor for cancer detection［48］

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