ZIF-67–Grown Ionic Nanofibrous Membrane Separator-Based Ultra-Sensitive Ionotronic Pressure Sensor for Physiological Signal Monitoring and Ergonomic Assistance

The growing demand for next-generation wearable technologies characterized by high sensitivity, low detection limits, and a broad pressure range drives the need for advanced pressure sensors capable of detecting subtle physiological signals and large-scale mechanical inputs for ergonomic applications. Here, we present an ultrasensitive ionotronic pressure sensor (IPS) based on a cobalt-rich zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67)-grown, highly porous ionic nanofibrous membrane (INM) as a dielectric separator, paired with a hybrid nanoporous carbon-incorporated laser-induced graphene (HNPC@LIG) and ionic PVDF-HFP@IL as the electrode/electrolyte layer. The ZIF-67-incorporated INM lowers the baseline capacitance and enhances ion transport under pressure, enabling efficient electric double layer (EDL) formation, while the HNPC@LIG offers a high surface area. As a result, the IPS achieves an exceptionally wide, linear detection range (0-1000 kPa) and high sensitivity: 5073 kPa^-1 (0-140 kPa), 18,366 kPa^-1 (140-300 kPa), 5324 kPa^-1 (300-470 kPa), and 1023 kPa^-1 (470-1000 kPa). This performance surpasses that of current state-of-the-art sensors, enabling precise detection of lip motion, respiration, pulse, and posture, paving the way for physiological signal and posture monitoring for ergonomic assistance.