A flexible strain sensor based on CNTs/PDMS microspheres for human motion detection

In this paper, a novel method for the preparation of flexible strain sensors based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polydimethylsiloxane (MWCNTs/PDMS) microspheres (MSs) is proposed. The conductive and elastic MWCNTs/PDMS MSs were prepared by the oil-in-water Pickering emulsion mechanism at room temperature which served as the sensing materials. After being covered with the PDMS matrix, the flexible strain sensor was obtained and it exhibited high conductivity of 157.64Ω∙cm, high strain range of more than 40 %, high sensitivity (GF = 7.22), and high stability (>500 stretch and release cycles). Besides, the as-prepared strain sensor successfully recognized different finger gestures, and the movements of wrists, elbows and knees, which proved the sensor’s application prospects in the fields of human motion detection, electronic skins of bionic robots and human-machine interfaces, etc.