Pressure-temperature dual-parameter sensors designed by wood-derived thermoelectric composites: Micro-pressure high sensitivity

Fabricating flexible pressure-temperature dual-parameter sensors with micro-pressure high-sensitivity by selecting sensing materials and designing structures remains a great challenge. Herein, an arch-shaped lamellar porous (ASLP) wood sponge (WS) with a rough surface was prepared from natural wood (NW). The thermoelectric composites as the sole sensing materials were prepared by WS skeleton. A flexible dual-parameter sensor with real-time detection was treated by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) vapor, and this sensor could differentiate the pressure and temperature stimuli. The mutual interference between the pressure and temperature signals of the sensor could be ignored. The stimuli sensitivity and discriminability of the sensor were improved by the rough surface and ASLP structure, which exhibited an excellent micro-pressure sensitivity of about 67.2 kPa−1. In addition, the sensor had a wide working range, fast response and long-term stability. The overall excellent sensing properties of the flexible dual-parameter sensor were demonstrated by detecting radial artery pulse and pressure-temperature complex signal of human motion. The flexible dual-parameter sensor prepared by this research can provide potential applications in healthcare devices and artificial intelligence.