Motion sensors achieved from a conducting polymer-metal Schottky contact

Abstract

Mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion devices show potential applications in the detection of movements. Previous studies on these sensor devices are mainly based on piezoelectricity or triboelectricity, which typically generates AC signals. In this study, a movement sensor that generated DC signals based on a conducting polymer-metal Schottky diode was prepared for the first time. Using the Al|poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)|Au device as a model, we showed that the sensor device could detect the touch and sliding movements. Both the pressure of the Al electrode touching the PEDOT surface and its sliding speed affected the voltage outputs. The device showed a high response speed of 1.7 s at 39.8 kPa. The modified device can even measure the sliding speed. The DC output allows the use of electrical energy for running other electronic devices. A conducting polymer-metal Schottky contact may be useful for the development of DC output movement sensors.