Multifunctional 1D/2D silver nanowires/MXene-based fabric strain sensors for emergency rescue

Monitoring the vital signs of the injured in accidents is crucial in emergency rescue process. Fabric-based sensing devices show a vast range of potential applications in wearable healthcare monitoring, human motion and thermal management due to their wearable flexibility and high sensitivity. Nevertheless, flexible electronic devices for both precise monitoring of health under low strain and motion under large strain are still a challenge in extremely harsh environment. Therefore, development of sensors with both high sensitivity and wide strain range remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a wearable flexible strain sensor with a one-dimensional/two-dimensional (1D/2D) composite conductive network was developed for healthcare and motion monitoring and thermal management by coating 1D silver nanowires (AgNWs) and 2D Ti₃C₂T_x MXene composite films on nylon/spandex blended knitted fabric (MANS). The MANS strain sensor can simultaneously achieve high sensitivity (gauge factor for up to 267), a wide range of detection (1%–115%), excellent repeatability and cycling stability (1000 cycles). The sensor can be utilized for human health monitoring including heartbeat, pulse detection, breathing and various human motion. Moreover, the MANS sensor also has the electrical heating properties and voltage control temperature between 20 °C–110 °C can achieved at low voltage. In addition, the MANS shows hydrophobicity with water contact angle of 137.1°. The MXene/AgNWs composite conductive layer with high sensitivity under low and large strains, electrical thermal conversion, and hydrophobicity has great potential for precisely monitoring health and motion of the injured in emergency rescue in harsh environment.