A novel flexible phase change fibrous composite membrane with tunable thermal management capability for highly sensitive and physically comfortable strain sensor

Abstract

Highly sensitive flexible strain sensor with synergistic personal thermal management capability and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding holds substantial promise in integrated smart wearable electronics. Herein, a novel flexible and breathable phase change fibrous composite membrane (TPPCM) is fabricated via coaxial electrospinning technique, which is then combined with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and MXene to develop a novel highly sensitive and physically comfortable strain sensor. It is found that the TPPCM-based strain sensor exhibits high sensitivity (GF∼2126.1), wide strain-detecting range (160 %), excellent durability, superior thermal energy storage/release and electro-thermal conversation properties. Typically, the encapsulation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) into TPPCM effectively overcomes the leakage problem of pristine phase change materials, and exhibits superior thermal energy management capability in both heating and cooling process. Meanwhile, the excellent conductive network endows the sensor with promising human thermal therapy function (∼42 °C) at a low applied voltage of 6 V and superior EMI shielding efficiency (>20 dB). Moreover, the porous structure endows the flexible strain sensor with good flexibility and breathability. This work proposes a new design strategy for multifunctional strain sensors from the perspective of physical comfort, which is expected to pave the way for the development of emerging physically comfortable wearable electronics.