Biocompatible, Flexible Strain Sensor Fabricated with Polydopamine-Coated Nanocomposites of Nitrile Rubber and Carbon Black

Qu M, Qin Y, SUN Y, Xu H, Schubert DW, Zheng K, Xu W, Nilsson F (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Book Volume: 12

Pages Range: 42140-42152

Journal Issue: 37

DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c11937

Abstract

A flexible, biocompatible, nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)-based strain sensor with high stretchability, good sensitivity, and excellent repeatability is presented for the first time. Carbon black (CB) particles were embedded into an NBR matrix via a dissolving-coating technique, and the obtained NBR/CB composite was coated with polydopamine (PDA) to preserve the CB layer. The mechanical properties of the NBR films were found to be significantly improved with the addition of CB and PDA, and the produced composite films were noncytotoxic and highly biocompatible. Strain-sensing tests showed that the uncoated CB/NBR films possess a high sensing range (strain of similar to 550%) and good sensitivity (gauge factor of 52.2), whereas the PDA/NBR/CB films show a somewhat reduced sensing range (strain of similar to 180%) but significantly improved sensitivity (gauge factor of 346). The hysteresis curves obtained from cyclic strain-sensing tests demonstrate the prominent robustness of the sensor material. Three novel equations were developed to accurately describe the uniaxial and cyclic strain-sensing behavior observed for the investigated strain sensors. Gloves and knee/elbow covers were produced from the films, revealing that the signals generated by different finger, elbow, and knee movements are easily distinguishable, thus confirming that the PDA/NBR/CB composite films can be used in a wide range of wearable strain sensor applications.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University China (CN) Royal Institute of Technology / Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH) Sweden (SE)

How to cite

APA:

Qu, M., Qin, Y., SUN, Y., Xu, H., Schubert, D.W., Zheng, K.,... Nilsson, F. (2020). Biocompatible, Flexible Strain Sensor Fabricated with Polydopamine-Coated Nanocomposites of Nitrile Rubber and Carbon Black. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 12(37), 42140-42152. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.0c11937

MLA:

Qu, Muchao, et al. "Biocompatible, Flexible Strain Sensor Fabricated with Polydopamine-Coated Nanocomposites of Nitrile Rubber and Carbon Black." ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 12.37 (2020): 42140-42152.

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