Breathable, hydrophobic and antibacterial bioinspired fabric pressure sensors for comfortable skin-mountable health monitoring

Abstract

The development of flexible pressure sensors has attracted significant attention because of their critical role in wearable human health monitoring. However, most flexible sensors are constructed on impermeable polymer substrates, which cause an uncomfortable wearing experience owing to poor biocompatibility and breathability. Inspired by the advantages of natural Agropyron cristatum and octopuses, a flexible, breathable, hydrophobic, and antibacterial pressure sensor based on a permeable fabric platform is developed. The device is designed by sandwiching a microstructured gel ionic electrolyte between two zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-67 (ZIF-67)/silver nanowires (Ag NWs)/stearic acid (STA) fabric electrodes. Owing to the enhanced double-layer capacitive effect between the microstructured electrode–electrolyte interfaces, the sensor achieves outstanding sensitivity (∼751.57 kPa⁻¹) and a wide detection range (∼84 kPa) with excellent durability. The micropores in the interior of the sensor provide good air permeability (∼350 mm s⁻¹), and the STA nanosheets on the outside of the sensor exhibit hydrophobicity (contact angle ∼ 164.2°). Additionally, unique antibacterial ability is obtained by incorporating Ag NWs into ZIF-67. Consequently, a breathable and biocompatible wearing experience for the skin is achieved with sweatproof protection. The proposed strategy will render e-skins more comfortable, offering a favorable pathway for health monitoring.