High Sensitivity and Broad Range Iontronic Pressure Sensors Based on Porous Elastomer Structure

ABSTRACT Flexible pressure sensors with high sensitivity and broad sensing range are becoming increasingly popular owing to their potential applications in wearable devices. Developing a large‐scale and low‐cost manufacturing method for realizing high‐performance flexible pressure sensors is critical. Here, we report a simple strategy that utilizes glucose as a template to fabricate porous elastomer based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Employing ionic liquid (IL) with porous elastomer achieves an iontronic pressure sensor (IPS) based on porous structure. The developed pressure sensor demonstrates a broad detection range (0–120 kPa) with high sensitivity (∼0.753 kPa −1 ) in the high‐pressure range (85–120 kPa). Furthermore, it delivers excellent performance with a short response time (∼114 ms) and high repeatability, reproducibility, and reliability (under 5 and 100 kPa for 1000 cycles). Finally, the IPS has demonstrated great potential for various applications, including wearable devices, a flexible perception array and a smart insole system.