Biodegradable poly(lactic acid) blocked polyurethane/carbon nanotubes coated cotton fabric prepared by ultrasonic-assisted inkjet printing for high performance strain sensors.

ABSTRACT

In order to fulfill the demands for degradability, a broad working range, and heightened sensitivity in flexible sensors, biodegradable polyurethane (BTPU) was synthesized and combined with CNTs to produce BTPU/CNTs coated cotton fabric using an ultrasonic-assisted inkjet printing process. The synthesized BTPU displayed a capacity for degradation in a phosphate buffered saline solution, resulting in a weight loss of 25 % after 12 weeks of degradation. The BTPU/CNTs coated cotton fabric sensor achieved an extensive strain sensing range of 0-137.5 %, characterized by high linearity and a notable sensitivity (gauge factor (GF) of 126.8). Notably, it demonstrated a low strain detection limit (1 %), rapid response (within 280 ms), and robust durability, enabling precise monitoring of both large and subtle human body movements such as finger, wrist, neck, and knee bending, as well as swallowing. Moreover, the BTPU/CNTs coated cotton fabric exhibited favorable biocompatibility with human epidermis, enabling potential applications as wearable skin-contact sensors. This work provides insight into the development of degradable and high sensing performance sensors suitable for applications in electronic skins and health monitoring devices.