Tailored Porous Conductive\nElastomer Composites for\nHighly Sensitive Flexible Pressure Sensors over a Wide Range

Developing high-performance pressure sensors with a wide\ndetection\nrange while retaining high sensitivity remains an enormous challenge.\nHerein, the porous conductive elastomer composite-based pressure sensors\ncomposed of natural rubber (NR) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)\nwere fabricated by the facile freeze-drying approach. The homogeneous\ndispersion of MWCNTs facilitates the formation of continuous conductive\npathways within the NR matrix. When NR/MWCNTs conductive elastomer\ncomposites (CECs) were compressed, MWCNTs embedded in micropore walls\ncan contact each other and strengthen the conductive pathways. Consequently,\nthe as-obtained sensors exhibited a high sensitivity of 1.145 kPa<sup>–1</sup> over 0–480 kPa, a short response–relaxation\ntime, and an excellent reversibility and stability. In addition, the\nsensors can effectively detect and capture subtle and large human\nmovements such as wrist, elbow, knee bending, and even pulse. Furthermore,\nthe sensors can be assembled and integrated with a glove to achieve\nremote gesture recognition and sports training monitoring. The designed\nNR/MWCNTs CECs-based pressure sensors hold great promise for integration\ninto flexible wearable electronics.