Highly stretchable, sensitive, and flexible strain sensors based on silver nanoparticles/carbon nanotubes composites

Abstract Strain sensors based on Ag nanoparticles (NPs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composites on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate were fabricated. The sensors show high sensitivity with tunable gauge factors in the range of 2.1–39.8, high stretchability of 95.8%, good linearity and excellent long-time stability. A simple model for the working principle of the sensors has been proposed. It is suggested that the Ag NPs can modify the surface of CNT and reduce the interfacial resistance between CNTs, which plays an important role in achieving the superb performance of the sensors.

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