Textile-based triboelectric sensors with tactile comfort and high precision for human-interactive monitoring systems

초록

Here, we report a simple fabrication strategy for a textile–elastomer composite substrate that enables reliable sensing performance, high durability, and user comfort. The composite was formed by controlled infiltration of semi-cured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) into textile fibers, producing a dual-surface structure that balances mechanical stiffness with breathability. This substrate served as the foundation for a flexible, self-powered triboelectric sensor composed of a gold-coated textile–elastomer layer, a sandblasted polytetrafluoroethylene layer for enhanced charge generation, a second gold-coated textile–elastomer layer, and a spacer. The sensor exhibited micrometer-scale detection capability with tunable sensitivity ranging from 10.15 to 61.95 mV μm−1, determined by the degree of PDMS infiltration. Durability tests confirmed stable output after more than 500 cycles of bending under realistic wearing conditions. The sensor further demonstrated robust applicability in detecting joint motion, muscle activity, swallowing, vocal vibrations, and pulse signals with distinct waveform features. These results highlight the potential of the proposed textile–elastomer triboelectric sensor for wearable health monitoring, rehabilitation, and human–machine interaction. © 2026 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved.

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