Underwater MXene-based flexible electric field sensor

Abstract Traditional electric field sensors, limited by their large size and short detection range, cannot meet the demands for rapid and flexible deployment due to their complex deployment methods. Hence, we have designed a flexible underwater electric field sensor based on carbon fiber(CF) modified with MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x ), characterized by high sensitivity and flexibility. The sensor can be flexibly deployed on the surface of mobile carriers such as small unmanned submersibles and underwater organisms. Through mass deployment, it can achieve large-scale, long-term, and high-precision detection of underwater electric fields. Specifically, we propose a method for modifying CF electrodes using MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) to improve the electric field response ability and electrochemical properties. After modification, the electrode can achieve sensitive response to underwater electric fields due to fast Faraday reactions. The CF electrodes, modified with MXene, are utilized in the fabrication of underwater flexible electric field sensors. The outcomes demonstrate that, in the electric field response performance test, the sensitivity of the underwater flexible CF electric field sensor modified with MXene (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) reached 0.86nV/m@1Hz. The CF/MXene electrode is readily-prepared, economical-minded, and flexibly-adaptable, which paving the way for developing a new generation of underwater flexible electric field sensors.