Superhydrophobic and superelastic conductive rubber composite for wearable strain sensors with ultrahigh sensitivity and excellent anti-corrosion property

Abstract

Conductive polymer composite (CPC) based wearable strain sensors have wide applications in body motion detection, artificial skin, etc. However, preparation of strain sensors with excellent flexibility, high gauge factors, anti-corrosion, outstanding reliability and recyclability remains challenging. Herein, a bioinspired superhydrophobic and electrically conductive rubber composite is prepared. The polydopamine (PDA) layer on the rubber band (RB) surface cannot only promote Ag precursor adsorption and then immobilization of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) but also maintains the stability of the electrical conductivity and superhydrophobicity. The strain sensor displays both extremely high stretchability with the elongation at break larger than 1000% and sensitivity with a gauge factor of around 10⁸ which is the highest value ever reported. In addition, the RB composite exhibits excellent reproducibility and durability. Also, the RB composite served as a strain sensor can be used to detect full-range body movement and work under harsh environments including moisture, acid and basic conditions.