Enhanced electromechanical properties in SWCNT/GO-based flexible composites with preliminary healing capability for human motion detection

In this study, we report the fabrication and characterization of flexible composites with enhanced electromechanical properties and preliminary healing capability for next-generation wearable sensors. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) were synergistically incorporated into melamine sponge (MS) frameworks, forming conductive carbon nanohybrid bridges. These functional sponges were embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix to yield stretchable composites (SWCNT/GO@MS-PDMS) with high structural integrity and stable electrical pathways. Among the samples, the composite with an optimized SWCNT/GO ratio (FC3) exhibited the best balance of conductivity (3.58 ± 0.42 kΩ), tensile strength (1.68 ± 0.21 MPa), Young’s modulus (0.56 ± 0.22 MPa), and elongation at break (92.6 ± 25.2 %). Electromechanical analysis revealed excellent sensitivity with a gauge factor (GF) reaching 7.12 in the high-strain regime and outstanding cyclic stability under repeated strain loading. A novel SWCNT/C-ink (SWCNT/Ci)-based adhesive, integrated with a curing agent, enabled preliminary healing of fractured composites, recovering both mechanical and electrical functionalities. SEM and spectroscopy confirmed successful nanohybrid dispersion, chemical bonding, and structural integration. These results underscore the potential of the developed SWCNT/GO@MS-PDMS and SWCNT/Ci-based adhesive composites for use in human motion detection, health monitoring, and stretchable electronics. • SWCNT/GO@MS-PDMS composites were fabricated with enhanced electromechanical and adhesive properties for physical sensing applications. • SWCNT/C-ink adhesive was integrated to enable efficient self-repair, improving durability and longevity. • Flexible composites were successfully applied for real-time human joint movement detection.