An easily processable silver nanowires-dual-cellulose conductive paper for versatile flexible pressure sensors

To date, flexible pressure sensors built on silver nanowires (AgNWs) have attracted tremendous attention, owing to their versatile applications in wearable, human-interactive, health-monitoring devices. Cellulose and its derivatives, which show great promise in serving flexible pressure sensors as the desired substrate due to their natural abundance, biocompatibility, easy processibility, and low costs. Herein, we reported a rational strategy to design a silver nanowires-dual-cellulose conductive paper. Its morphology, chemical and crystal structures, thermal stability, mechanical performances, and electrical properties were carefully studied. The results suggested that good tensile properties (tensile strength <8.10 MPa), high electrical conductivity (< 1.74 x 10(4) S.m(-1)) with long-term stability, and good adhesion stability (bending cycles over 500) were obtained. Furthermore, the use of such conductive paper as substrate for versatile flexible pressure sensors was demonstrated, which exhibited fast response (similar to 0.48 s) and high sensitivity, in response to finger motion, voice recognition, and human pulse, etc.

Automated summary

In this study, a rational strategy was used to design a silver nanowires-dual-cellulose conductive paper. The conductive paper showed good mechanical properties, electrical properties, and adhesion stability. It was demonstrated to be suitable for versatile flexible pressure sensors with fast response and high sensitivity to finger motion, voice recognition, and human pulse.