Stretchable strain sensor based on a nanocomposite of zinc stannate nanocubes and silver nanowires

Abstract

In this study, we fabricated a stretchable strain sensor using a composite of three-dimensional zinc stannate (ZnSnO3) nanocubes (NCs) and one-dimensional silver nanowires (Ag-NWs) in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. The composite was spin-coated onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate and was then peeled off after curing to obtain a thin film. The device performance was investigated at various mixing ratios (of the NCs and NWs in the PDMS elastomer). In order to evaluate the performance of the resulting devices, they were stretched to 100% of their original length. The sensor showed linear resistive behavior with high sensitivity, robustness, and repeatability, which are the key requirements for a stretchable sensor. The sensing mechanism of the sensor has been explained with emphasis on strain-induced separation of nanomaterials and percolation network.