Acoustic Wave Assisted Lotus Leaf Papillae Lead‐Free Piezoelectric Material Humidity Sensor
To address the long-standing challenges of slow response, weak signal, and poor mechanical robustness in conventional flexible humidity sensors, A novel flexible multifunctional sensor is developed based on a "lotus-leaf acoustic wave collaborative lead-free piezoelectric" technology strategy. Specifically, a lotus leaf surface is used as a template, which is replicated with PVDF and then combined with a cellulose matrix embedded with niobium-based perovskite crystals, resulting in a sandwich-structured, flexible, lead-free piezoelectric composite film. Under acoustic wave excitation, the local piezoelectric coupling at the bio-inspired papilla interfaces significantly accelerates water adsorption/desorption kinetics, achieving an exceptional humidity response/recovery time of 0.98/1.2 s and a high sensitivity of 97%. The sensor demonstrates superior performance compared to commercial hygrometers. In addition, it has a high response signal of 130 V and a voltage sensitivity of 4.33 V N<sup>-1</sup> under a stress of 40 N, thus achieving dual parameter sensing. This humidity sensor, with its sub second response, high sensitivity, and dual-mode sensing capability of force and humidity, is expected to capture the slightest humidity and mechanical changes in real-time medical monitoring, motion tracking, and environmental IoT, providing unprecedented secure and green core components for intelligent health, and sustainable sensing systems.
Authors
- Y. Luan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8068-2821)
- Yang Bai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6917-256X)
- Sally Yuan
- Iqra Shahbaz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9184-2802)
- Yu Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6599-5685)
- Lihong Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4807-2471)
- Yanpeng Xue (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5507-9041)
- Ping Che (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1112-7168)
Institutions
- China Construction Eighth Engineering Division (China) (CN)
- University of Science and Technology Beijing (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Small Methods
- Published
- 2025-12-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501879
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00