Self-driving flexible piezoresistive sensors integrated with enhanced energy harvesting sensor of ZnO/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite based on 3D structure

Wearable piezoresistive sensors (PRS) based on detecting small resistance variation have broad applications. Aiming at solving self-driving issue, a self-driving PRS based on piezoelectric energy harvesting sensor is proposed. Therefore, the piezoresistive sensor was prepared by the Ti ₃C ₂T _x nanosheets coated 3D sponge. The piezoelectric energy harvesting sensor based on ZnO nanorods growing on the surface of the Ti ₃C ₂T _x nanosheets coated sponge was designed by perfusing Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The piezoresistive sensor with the detection range of 0–61.12 kPa and the sensitivity of 6.40 kPa ⁻¹ was obtained, and further constructed the detection array with the 4 × 4 PRSs. The piezoelectric energy harvesting sensor illustrated an output voltage of 101 V, a power of 10 μW, and a sensitivity of 4.37 V·kPa ⁻¹ , which can drive the piezoresistive sensor and monitor human motions. Meanwhile, the demonstration of self-driving and detecting human motions of the piezoresistive sensor by the piezoelectric energy harvesting sensor was illustrated. Therefore, the piezoresistive and piezoelectric devices based the Ti ₃C ₂T _x modified 3D sponge can be constructed and achieve self-powered pressure detection.