Enhancing piezoresistive sensitivity of PEDOT:PSS-based strain sensors through nickel microparticles incorporation.

The following work explores the creation and advancement of a highly sensitive piezoresistive strain sensor. This sensor is composed of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) with a layer of interconnected Ni microparticles (NiMPs) on its surface. The interconnection of NiMPs was achieved through a new simple and cost-effective method using a magnetic bar. Additionally, the elasticity of the PEDOT:PSS membrane is enhanced by incorporating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The piezoresistive strain sensor, consisting of PEDOT:PSS, PVA, and NiMPs, was examined to assess its electrical signal, stability, and response time under various strains and bending angles, ranging from 0 to 28%. This range covers typical human body movements. The results demonstrated that the pristine PEDOT:PSS membrane has no piezoresistive effect, while the modified one with NiMPs, it shows a gauge factor value of 174 at high strain levels. Additionally, the sensor's performance was tested with human finger motions, revealing a significant response to changes in finger movement. The modified method of evenly distributing metallic particles can be used with various magnetic particles such as iron, cobalt, steel, or manganese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]