DataVXACS NanoPaper
journal article·2026-01-13

High Sensitivity, All-Organic Piezoelectric Skin Enabled by a Phytic Acid-Assisted Molecular Engineering Strategy

Tienan Zhao, Zujian Li, Yuzhu Li, Bin Chai, Weichang Xie, Boyue Gao, Kai Xue, Xingyi Huang, Xiaofeng Ye, Chunhai Fan, Zhitao Zhang

ACS Nano· Volume 20· Issue 1
Publisher page
Source abstract

Abstract

Electronic skin (e-skin), which mimics the tactile and multimodal sensing functions of human skin, is emerging as a key technology for wearable healthcare and human–machine interfaces. All-organic piezoelectric composites owing to their intrinsic flexibility and skin conformability represent attractive candidates for e-skin development. However, achieving a high piezoelectric performance, long-term stability, and mechanical compliance simultaneously remains a critical challenge. Here, we report a phytic acid (PA)-assisted molecular engineering strategy to fabricate P(VDF- co -trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE)/PA composites with a high piezoelectric charge coefficient (87 pC N – 1 ) and voltage coefficient (614 mV m N –1 ), as well as durability. Strong hydrogen bonding between PA hydroxyl groups and PVDF-TrFE chains promotes β-phase crystallization and stabilizes the piezoelectric structure. Meanwhile, the high dielectric constant of phosphate groups enhances the dipole polarization efficiency. Building on this composite, we developed a high-performance piezoelectric skin (pe-skin), which exhibits high sensitivity (35 mV kPa –1 ), a fast response (∼70 ms), and robust stability. The resulting pe-skin enables real-time physiological monitoring, precise pressure mapping, and smart human–machine interfaces. Overall, this work highlights a promising pathway toward the construction of high-performance pe-skin for healthcare, robotics, and human–machine interfaces.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

Composites

OpenAlex topics: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials · Dielectric materials and actuators · Polydiacetylene-based materials and applications

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

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem-Bio Synthesis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Zhang Jiang Institute for Advanced Study and National Center for Translational Medicine

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Thermal Ageing, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine

Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Nucleic Acids Chemistry and Nanomedicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine

Carbon-Negative Synthetic Biology for Biomaterial Production from CO2 (CNSB), Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), 1 CREATE Way, Singapore 138602, Singapore

The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, National Center for Translational Medicine

Funding

Shanghai Jiao Tong University · National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Research Foundation Singapore · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Shanghai "Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan" Project · Shanghai Pilot Program for Basic Research

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