Facile Transfer of Spray-Coated Ultrathin AgNWs Composite onto the Skin for Electrophysiological Sensors

Abstract

Disposable wearable sensors that ultrathin and conformable to the skin are of significant interest as affordable and easy-to-use devices for short-term recording. This study presents a facile and low-cost method for transferring spray-coated silver nanowire (AgNW) composite films onto human skin using glossy paper (GP) and liquid bandages (LB). Due to the moderately hydrophobic and rough surface of the GP, the ultrathin AgNWs composite film (~200 nm) was easily transferred onto human skin. The AgNW composite films conformally attached to the skin when applied with a LB, resulting in the stable and continuous recording of wearable electrophysiological signals, including electromyogram (EMG), electrocardiogram (ECG), and electrooculogram (EOG). The volatile LB, deposited on the skin via spray coating, promoted rapid adhesion of the transferred AgNW composite films, ensuring stability to the AgNWs in external environments. The AgNWs composite supported with the LB film exhibited high water vapor breathability (~28 gm−2h−1), which can avoid the accumulation of sweat at the skin–sensor interface. This approach facilitates the creation of rapid, low-cost, and disposable tattoo-like sensors that are practical for extended use.

Keywords

• spray coating
• AgNWs
• glossy paper
• conformable
• electrophysiological
• sensors