A brushed hemicylindrical pressure sensor based on triboelectricity exhibits high sensitivity, a low detection limit and a wide detection range

Abstract

Simultaneously integrating high sensitivity, low detection limits, and wide detection ranges into one pressure sensor is vital but challenging because the high sensitivity and low detection limits require low modulus to respond to tiny deformations but a wide detection range requires good toughness to prevent it from mechanical damage. Herein, a novel design notion composed of a hemicylindrical shape and a brush-like surface structure is proposed to develop a high-performance pressure sensor. The hemicylindrical shape can significantly widen the detection range, while the brush-like surface structure increases the sensitivity and reduces the detection limit. Importantly, introducing nanoparticles with a high dielectric constant into the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer further enhances the output capability based on the triboelectric principle, resulting in a brushed hemicylindrical pressure sensor (BHPS) with an ultra-wide detection range of 0.04–1200 kPa and a high sensitivity of 1305 mV kPa⁻¹, which are superior to those of most reported pressure sensors. Moreover, a potential application in mechanical energy harvesting is demonstrated by converting low-frequency mechanical motion into electrical energy. This universal yet simple design strategy sheds light on the development of pressure sensors that are resistant to heavy loads.