Triethoxysilane-enhanced graphene/carbon nanoparticles conductive network for multifunctional fabric electronics with pressure, temperature and strain sensing capabilities

Abstract

Fabric or textile electronics have been widely explored for their excellent wearable properties and compatibility with human skin. While ensuring fine sensing performance, the multi-mode sensing ability of the sensor is also one of the trends in enriching its practical applications. Herein, triethoxysilane-enhanced graphene (GR)/carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) conductive network is proposed by the impregnation process to realize multifunctional fabric electronics with tri-mode sensing capabilities. The synergistic interaction between (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and silicone rubber (SR) enhances the adhesion between conductive network and the fabric substrate, thereby a robust sensing layer is formed. The fabric electronics has negative resistance signals across a range of strains (0–60 %) and different temperatures (23–70 °C). In terms of strain sensing, the fabric electronics can not only detect resistance signals in the full range (120 %) but also reproduce stable values within the 60 % strain range. In terms of temperature sensing, the fabric electronics has ultra-high sensitivity and linearity in the temperature range of 23–70 °C, and the negative temperature coefficient is −1.1868 °C⁻¹. The fabric electronics can monitor human movements and gestures by connecting with other smart devices. By analyzing the relevant data, it can ascertain how individuals allocate their time doing computer work, exercise, and muscle stretching. The combination of multi-mode sensing functions in different situations proves that the fabric electronics can be applied in wearable monitoring and embodied perception. The low cost and high comfort of this sensor provide potential application scenarios for smart textiles.