Carbon Nanotube-Based Strain Sensors: Structures, Fabrication, and Applications

Abstract

Flexible strain sensors have received widespread attention because of their great potential in many fields. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been used as conductive materials for flexible strain sensors due to their excellent electrical and mechanical properties, and the fabricated flexible strain sensors have excellent sensing performance. This paper systematically summarizes the advances in flexible resistance-type strain sensors based on CNTs. The strain sensing mechanisms are introduced, including crack extension, tunneling effect, and disconnection of overlapping materials. The performance parameters of the sensors, including sensitivity, stretchability, linearity, hysteresis, dynamic durability, and transparency, are discussed comprehensively. The coating methods, 3D printing techniques, chemical vapor deposition, transfer methods, and spinning processes used to fabricate CNT strain sensors are highlighted. The effect of isolated and porous internal conductive structures, folded and microcracked surface structures, films and fabrics macroscopic structures on sensor performance were systematically analyzed. The applications of the sensors in medical health, motion monitoring, gesture recognition, human–computer interaction, and soft robotics are provided in detail. Finally, the future challenges of CNT flexible strain sensors are summarized and the outlook is presented. Although CNT strain sensors have made great progress so far, there are still many problems that need researchers’ attention and solutions.