An Iontronic Fiber Pressure Sensor with Hierarchical Porous Architecture Exhibiting High Sensitivity across a Broad Range

Nano Lett. 2025 Jun 27. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c02272. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Fabric-based pressure sensors must consistently deliver stable performance under complex environmental conditions. This necessitates the development of fibers that exhibit high sensitivity and a broad detection range. Current capacitive fiber pressure sensors suffer from limited sensitivity and narrow sensing ranges. In this study, we propose a novel design strategy for high-sensitivity, wide-range capacitive nanocomposite fibers, capitalizing on the synergistic effects of a three-tier core-shell hierarchical porous structure and an electrical double-layer mechanism. The resulting capacitive fiber pressure sensors demonstrate exceptional sensing performance and mechanical stability. The optimized fiber sensor achieves a sensing range of 0-1.2 MPa, with a record-high pressure sensitivity of 152.3 kPa-1. This remarkable sensing capability positions these nanocomposite fibers as ideal candidates for the fabrication of intelligent wearable electronic devices capable of capturing subtle pressure signals even under high-pressure conditions.

Keywords: broad range; fiber pressure sensor; hierarchical porous structure; high sensitivity; intelligent wearable electronics.