Mechanically durable and amphiphobic rubber foam composites for strain/pressure sensors

Wearable piezoresistive sensors possessing outstanding flexibility and breathability have aroused growing interests of researchers due to their promising applications in wearable electronics, health monitoring, etc. The development of waterproof and oil-proof piezoresistive sensors that respond to both tensile and compressive strains is still a great challenge. Herein, a two-step dip-coating method, i.e., ion reduction assisted phase separation and subsequent fluorination, is used to prepare amphiphobic rubber foam composites (ARFC). The ARFC shows excellent photothermal and electro-thermal conversion performance. The ARFCs with high electrical conductivity can be served as both strain and pressure sensors, demonstrating a dual sensing mode. The ARFC exhibits a relatively low detection limit (1%), wide working range (0–150%) and a gauge factor of 34.2 under 100%–150% strain. Also, the strain/pressure sensor exhibits outstanding cyclic sensing performance and can realize real-time monitoring of different body motions. Its amphiphobicity and dual sensing mode further broaden the application in smart wearable electronics.