Manufacturing High Sensitive Strain Sensor of Polyurethane Nanofiber Mat/AgNWs by Simple Dip-dry Method

Adding nano silver wires (AgNWs) onto electrospun polyurethane (PU) nanofiber mat provide a new idea for developing wearable smart textiles. The excellent stretchability of PU and the excellent electrical conductivity of AgNWs enable wearable smart textiles to monitor human physiological data. In this study, PU nanofiber mat was prepared by electrospinning and subsequently was dip into AgNWs dispersion for conductivity. The PU nanofiber mats adsorbed with AgNWs were with both good stretching and electrical conductivity. The surface morphology and surface elements were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The mechanical properties and the variation of electrical conductivity under static and dynamic stretching cycles were studied. In addition, it is accurately monitoring variation in electrical conductivity during finger bending and wrist movement. The experimental results show that the PU mat treated by AgNWs has the potential to be used as a wearable strain sensor for real-time monitoring of human motion.