Gels (Feb 2023)

Ultrasensitive and Self-Powered Multiparameter Pressure–Temperature–Humidity Sensor Based on Ultra-Flexible Conductive Silica Aerogel

  • Song He,
  • Chunhua Du,
  • Hongliang Sheng,
  • Chunxiang He,
  • Xinyu Liu,
  • Xin Jin,
  • Qilin Chen,
  • Fuliang Tian

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9020162
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 2
p. 162

Abstract

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The application of silica aerogel has been limited because of its poor mechanical properties. In order to expand the application scope of silica aerogel, this study fabricated an ultra-flexible conductive silica aerogel as a multiparameter sensor. The sample is fabricated by introducing poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) on a base of ultra-flexible silica aerogel, which was prepared by a diene synthesis reaction at atmospheric pressure. The pressure, temperature, and humidity can be converted into electrical signals. The pressure sensitivity can reach up to 54.88 kPa−1, and the detection limit is as low as 5 Pa. The temperature resolution is up to 0.1 K, and the response time of humidity is within 4 s. More importantly, the developed multiparameter sensor can be self-powered to realize multiparameter sensing of pressure, temperature, and humidity. The ultra-flexible conductive silica aerogel is a promising candidate for monitoring human activities and fire-affected areas.

Keywords