Carbon nanotube modified cellulose nonwovens: superhydrophobic, breathable, and sensitive for drowning alarm and motion monitoring

• Published in: Cellulose (London) Vol. 31; no. 5; pp. 3143 - 3161
• Main Authors: Zhang, Rui, Ye, Suxian, Suzuki, Ryuki, Xie, Chengbo, Wang, Jian, Huang, Weizhe, Zou, Zhuanyong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.03.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Bioorganic Chemistry; Carbon nanotubes; Cellulose; Ceramics; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Contact angle; Glass; Hydrophobic surfaces; Hydrophobicity; Motion perception; Multilayers; Natural Materials; Nonwoven fabrics; Organic Chemistry; Original Research; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Pressure sensors; Real time; Remote monitoring; Sensitivity; Sensors; Sustainable Development; Voice recognition; Hydroentangled nonwovens; Highly breathable; Piezoresistive sensors; Superhydrophobic; Conductive fabrics; Viscose fibers
• ISSN: 0969-0239; 1572-882X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10570-023-05695-7

Due to its exceptional sensitivity and conductivity, flexible wearable sensors have received a lot of interest recently in the fields of human health monitoring and motion detection. In this work, a superhydrophobic and extremely permeable pressure sensor using multilayer hydroentanglement cellulose non-woven fabrics modified with carbon nanotubes was prepared by ultrasonic-assisted modification and impregnation. The sensor has high sensitivity (11.78 kPa -1 in 0-5.20 kPa and 0.058 kPa -1 in 5.20-210 kPa), fast response time (49 ms), ultra-wide pressure detection range (0–210 kPa), excellent air permeability (688 mm/s) and long-term reliability. With a 155° water contact angle, it also exhibits exceptional superhydrophobic characteristics, providing an outstanding self-cleaning effect. Importantly, the sensor has been successfully applied to monitor weak movements (pulse, voice recognition) and joint movements in real-time, which has paved the way for human health monitoring and disease diagnosis. In addition, using the superhydrophobicity and sensitivity of the sensor, it can be connected to a mobile phone via Bluetooth for remote real-time monitoring and applied to drowning alarm monitoring in underwater environments, showing great promise in practical applications.