journal article·2026-06-15Open access

MXene‐Coated, Multi‐Layered Mulberry Paper‐Based Flexible Tactile Sensor With High Sensitivity Over a Wide Pressure Range

Sangrim Lee, Chaemin Won, Jaebeen Ahn, Wonkeun Park, Eunsoo Ha, Jongbaeg Kim, Taewook Kim, Changyong Yim, Yunsung Kang

Abstract

ABSTRACT Highly sensitive, paper‐based tactile sensors utilizing conductive nanomaterials have attracted significant attention due to their porosity, foldability, and mechanical flexibility. However, achieving sensitivity above 10 kPa −1 across a wide pressure range remains a key challenge. In this study, we present a flexible tactile sensor based on stacked mulberry paper coated with Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene. Owing to the hydrophilic nature of mulberry paper, the MXene layers conformally coat the fibrous network via dip coating. The rough, porous surface and multi‐layered architecture enhance contact resistance modulation, enabling high sensitivity (>15 kPa −1 ) over a broad pressure range (1–1000 kPa). We systematically investigate the effects of paper type, stacking configuration, and MXene loading to optimize sensor performance. The resulting device exhibits rapid response, durability over 1000 loading cycles, and consistent reproducibility. Its high flexibility and paper–fabric‐based structure allow seamless integration into wearable platforms such as gloves and wristbands, enabling real‐time monitoring of finger motion, arterial pulse, and touch intensity. Additionally, the wide detection range supports applications in Morse code signaling and CPR training feedback systems through wireless communication. These findings highlight MXene‐coated mulberry paper as a scalable, durable, and cost‐effective platform for wearable electronics requiring a balanced combination of high sensitivity and broad‐range pressure detection.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Conducting polymers and applications · Polydiacetylene-based materials and applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Semiconductor Convergence Engineering Kyungpook National University Daegu Republic of Korea

Department of Precision Mechanical Engineering Kyungpook National University Sangju Gyeongbuk Republic of Korea

School of Advanced Science and Technology Convergence Kyungpook National University Sangju Gyeongbuk Republic of Korea

Department of Energy Chemical Engineering Kyungpook National University Sangju Gyeongbuk Republic of Korea

School of Mechanical Engineering Yonsei University Seoul Republic of Korea

Convergence Research Center of Mechanical and Chemical Engineering (CRCMCE) Kyungpook National University Sangju Gyeongbuk Republic of Korea

References (79)

Show source-provided references
1. 10.1002/adma.20100469210.1002/adma.201004692 ↗
2. 10.1002/aelm.20170059310.1002/aelm.201700593 ↗
3. 10.1038/s41528‐023‐00244‐510.1038/s41528‐023‐00244‐5 ↗
4. 10.1002/adfm.20241076210.1002/adfm.202410762 ↗
5. 10.1007/s40820‐024‐01488‐010.1007/s40820‐024‐01488‐0 ↗
6. 10.1021/acsnano.7b0282610.1021/acsnano.7b02826 ↗
7. 10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c0182710.1021/acssuschemeng.0c01827 ↗
8. 10.1021/acsami.9b0746510.1021/acsami.9b07465 ↗
9. 10.1002/adfm.20210504310.1002/adfm.202105043 ↗
10. 10.1021/acsnano.2c0315510.1021/acsnano.2c03155 ↗
11. 10.1016/j.nanoms.2022.10.00310.1016/j.nanoms.2022.10.003 ↗
12. 10.1039/D4TA06561A10.1039/D4TA06561A ↗
13. 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c0694910.1021/acssuschemeng.3c06949 ↗
14. 10.1038/s41467-024-55771-010.1038/s41467-024-55771-0 ↗
15. 10.1002/admt.20250154010.1002/admt.202501540 ↗
16. 10.1021/acs.chemmater.9b0025910.1021/acs.chemmater.9b00259 ↗
17. 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b0451410.1021/acs.nanolett.8b04514 ↗
18. 10.1021/acsaelm.1c0058310.1021/acsaelm.1c00583 ↗
19. 10.1021/acsami.1c2200110.1021/acsami.1c22001 ↗
20. 10.1021/acsaelm.2c0002610.1021/acsaelm.2c00026 ↗
21. 10.1021/acsanm.2c0408810.1021/acsanm.2c04088 ↗
22. 10.1021/acsami.3c0917610.1021/acsami.3c09176 ↗
23. 10.1063/5.014232910.1063/5.0142329 ↗
24. 10.1016/j.cej.2024.15497210.1016/j.cej.2024.154972 ↗
25. 10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.17912610.1016/j.jallcom.2025.179126 ↗
26. 10.1016/j.mser.2025.10111910.1016/j.mser.2025.101119 ↗
27. 10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.11032410.1016/j.nanoen.2024.110324 ↗
28. 10.1002/smll.20240552010.1002/smll.202405520 ↗
29. 10.1016/j.nanoms.2025.12.00310.1016/j.nanoms.2025.12.003 ↗
30. 10.1002/smll.20220319310.1002/smll.202203193 ↗
31. 10.1021/acsnano.8b0180510.1021/acsnano.8b01805 ↗
32. 10.1002/adfm.20190248410.1002/adfm.201902484 ↗
33. 10.1002/aenm.20180006410.1002/aenm.201800064 ↗
34. 10.1007/s10570‐019‐02686‐510.1007/s10570‐019‐02686‐5 ↗
35. 10.1021/am507948910.1021/am5079489 ↗
36. 10.1002/admt.20210042810.1002/admt.202100428 ↗
37. 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2022.10326310.1016/j.mtcomm.2022.103263 ↗
38. 10.1039/D3TA06976A10.1039/D3TA06976A ↗
39. 10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.10.12710.1016/j.jallcom.2016.10.127 ↗
40. 10.1002/smll.7316310.1002/smll.73163 ↗
41. 10.1016/j.compstruct.2023.11732910.1016/j.compstruct.2023.117329 ↗
42. 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.13829110.1016/j.jcis.2025.138291 ↗
43. 10.1016/j.mssp.2024.10888110.1016/j.mssp.2024.108881 ↗
44. 10.1039/D3NR05139K10.1039/D3NR05139K ↗
45. 10.1016/j.ceramint.2015.01.05010.1016/j.ceramint.2015.01.050 ↗
46. 10.1002/advs.20240844810.1002/advs.202408448 ↗
47. 10.3390/molecules2815577610.3390/molecules28155776 ↗
48. 10.1039/C6CP00330C10.1039/C6CP00330C ↗
49. 10.1021/acs.chemmater.9b0041410.1021/acs.chemmater.9b00414 ↗
50. 10.1002/admt.20220201510.1002/admt.202202015 ↗
51. 10.1021/acsanm.2c0295510.1021/acsanm.2c02955 ↗
52. 10.3390/s2102034110.3390/s21020341 ↗
53. 10.3390/s14061004210.3390/s140610042 ↗
54. 10.1063/1.482211910.1063/1.4822119 ↗
55. 10.1038/s41528-025-00469-610.1038/s41528-025-00469-6 ↗
56. 10.1002/advs.20220530310.1002/advs.202205303 ↗
57. 10.1016/j.cej.2025.15956410.1016/j.cej.2025.159564 ↗
58. 10.1039/D1TC02458B10.1039/D1TC02458B ↗
59. 10.1016/j.cej.2020.12772010.1016/j.cej.2020.127720 ↗
60. 10.1016/j.isci.2024.10948110.1016/j.isci.2024.109481 ↗
61. 10.1016/j.cej.2024.15406710.1016/j.cej.2024.154067 ↗
62. 10.1002/smtd.20210105110.1002/smtd.202101051 ↗
63. 10.1039/D0NR02012E10.1039/D0NR02012E ↗
64. 10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.10968410.1016/j.nanoen.2024.109684 ↗
65. 10.1002/admt.20210151110.1002/admt.202101511 ↗
66. 10.1021/acsami.2c0098010.1021/acsami.2c00980 ↗
67. 10.1021/acsami.4c1519710.1021/acsami.4c15197 ↗
68. 10.1109/TRO.2025.355232710.1109/TRO.2025.3552327 ↗
69. 10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.10481410.1016/j.nanoen.2020.104814 ↗
70. 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c0410710.1021/acs.langmuir.4c04107 ↗
71. 10.1016/j.jmst.2023.04.02810.1016/j.jmst.2023.04.028 ↗
72. 10.1016/j.bspc.2022.10390410.1016/j.bspc.2022.103904 ↗
73. Clinical Measurement of Arterial Stiffness Obtained from Noninvasive Pressure Waveforms
74. 10.1021/acsaelm.4c0185010.1021/acsaelm.4c01850 ↗
75. 10.1016/j.snb.2023.13525510.1016/j.snb.2023.135255 ↗
76. 10.1016/j.cej.2024.15617310.1016/j.cej.2024.156173 ↗
77. 10.1213/ane.000000000000092610.1213/ane.0000000000000926 ↗
78. 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.02.00910.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.02.009 ↗
79. 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2006.07.01710.1016/j.resuscitation.2006.07.017 ↗