A Flexible Sensor Based on 3D Gold@Carbonaceous Nanohybrid with Defect Sites of Conductivity for the Wearable Sensing at Low Stress

The detection of subtle strain on the human body by flexible sensors suffers from the inferior sensitivity. In general, poor sensitivity derives from the intact structural integrity of building blocks of electric material. Inspired by the rolling friction in daily life, a three-dimensional (3D) nanohybrid of gold@carbonaceous nanoballs (Au@CBs) is developed. Compared with the pure Au nanostructure, the CBs increase the defect sites of conductivity and deformation sensitivity between Au nanostructures. The Flexible Stress Sensor (FSS) based on the 3D nanohybrid of Au@CBs is fabricated, and due to the enough displacement variation of 3D nanohybrid of Au@CBs, the change of resistance could be triggered by the tiny stress. The as-prepared sensor has high sensitivity at wide working range ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]KPa[Formula: see text], 0.1–10[Formula: see text]KPa and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]KPa[Formula: see text], 10–100[Formula: see text]KPa) and good cyclic stability (5000 cycles). Finally, the FSS based on the 3D nanohybrid of Au@CBs is employed for the detection of subtle vibration and movement of the human body, such as pulse and joint bending, which exerts great potential as wearable electronics.