MXene-based wearable thermoelectric respiration sensor

Respiration rate (RR) holds a pivotal status as a vital sign, with its deviation serving as a significant marker for grave clinical occurrences. Contemporary methods for RR detection involve the utilization of complex and costly apparatus, potentially disrupting the innate breathing process. An imperative arises for the development of wearable respiratory sensors that exhibit attributes of cost-effectiveness and efficiency. This study introduces a pioneering investigation featuring an MXene/CNT/PEDOT:PSS composite film, which leverages the thermoelectric effect for sensing RR. After integrating with heart rate monitoring, real-time human health surveillance becomes achievable. Additionally, a notable enhancement in tensile strength by a factor of 2.4 is observed, along with an improved electromagnetic shielding efficiency of 59 dB, representing a 1.5-fold increase, as well as a commendable self-heating capability. The construction of the brick-mortar-structured MXene-based film shows promising potential for respiration sensing, offering additional healthcare functions such as electromagnetic shielding and self-heating. This innovation expands the application scope of MXene within the sensor field, contributing to the advancement of healthcare technologies.