Structural regulation-driven performance and application of MXene-based flexible piezoresistive pressure sensors

Flexible piezoresistive pressure sensors (FPPS) are critical for wearable electronics. MXene offers high conductivity, tunable interlayer spacing, and abundant active sites, but faces challenges including nanosheet restacking, the sensitivity-range trade-off, and poor cycling stability. This review summarizes progress in MXene-based FPPS and provides guidance for rational design. Two structural regulation strategies are reviewed: interlayer intercalation and three-dimensional porous structure design. Their mechanisms for enhancing sensitivity, broadening detection range, and improving stability are analyzed. Pressure–response mechanisms are examined from microstructure perspectives across aerogels, hydrogels, foams, fabrics, and elastomer composites. Interlayer intercalation suppresses MXene restacking, significantly improving sensitivity. Three-dimensional porous structures enable controlled deformation and conductive pathway reconstruction, extending detection range and cycling stability. Applications in health monitoring, human–machine interaction, electronic skin, and extreme environments are summarized. Structural regulation overcomes key performance bottlenecks of MXene-based FPPS. Challenges and future trends are outlined. This review provides theoretical guidance for designing, optimizing, and applying high-performance MXene-based FPPS.