Bacterial Cellulose/Titanate Nanotubes Composite Kirigami for Flexible and Stretchable Motion Sensor

Abstract

A composite of bacterial cellulose and titanate nanotubes (BC/TNT) was prepared for use as a stretchable motion sensor in smart and wearable electronics. The composite was characterized using various techniques such as UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. It was found that the dielectric constant of BC/TNT was up to 2.6 times that of BC with similar loss tangent, indicating improved charge storage. The composite was also constructed into a Kirigami pattern for improved stretchability. With a tensile strain of 0.4%, the change in resistance relative to the original resistance (ΔR/R 0) was found to be 5.7% and 6.9% for BC and BC/TNT, respectively, demonstrating improved sensing performance.