High sensing performance flexible nanocomposite sensor with a hybrid nanostructure constructed via nanoscale confined motion of nanofibers and nanoplatelets †

Abstract

The swing process between the construction and destruction of hybrid nanostructures in conductive nanocomposites under an external stimulation plays a pivotal role in their sensing performance and is directly related to the nanoscale motion of the corresponding hybrid nanoparticles. When one-dimensional (1D) nanofibers and two-dimensional (2D) nanoplatelets were selectively distributed in thin cell walls via supercritical CO₂ foaming, the confined nanoscale motion of 1D nanofibers and 2D nanoplatelets in the stretching process, including hybrid nanoparticle rotation and separation, was precisely regulated based on the hybrid nanoparticles’ Monte Carlo theoretical modelling. Correspondingly, an optimized complex hybrid nanostructure with a suitable nanoparticle content, hybrid ratio and geometry was proposed to achieve a high gauge factor of 4469. The flexible nanocomposite sensor with a designated hybrid nanostructure that shows high sensing performance was then tested for different signals, and it shows great potential in the application of monitoring human body motions.