Micro-Crack Assisted Wrinkled PEDOT: PSS to Detect and Distinguish Tensile Strain and Pressure Based on a Triboelectric Nanogenerator

The rapid advancements in wearable electronics are boosting the development of stretchable sensors. However, it is still a challenge to detect and distinguish multiple signals just using a single device. Here, a device made of micro-crack assisted wrinkled poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is demonstrated, that can simultaneously detect and distinguish between tensile strain and pressure, based on the variation of resistance and single electrode mode triboelectric nanogenerator (S-TENG). For the tensile strain sensing mode, the device, with epsilon(pre) of 100% and micro-cracks, shows a gauge factor (GF) of 1.75 with 40% linear tensile strain. For the S-TENG based tactile sensing mode, this device has a superior pressure sensitivity of about 0.51 V N-1 in the pressure range of 0-24 N. This device demonstrates great stability and durability. By using two different methods, it can be applied on the human body to monitor the tensile strain and pressure without crosstalk. This work is promising for the development of wearable sensors and self-powered electronics.