Innovative fabrication of ultrasensitive and durable graphene fiber aerogel for flexible pressure sensors

Elastic graphene aerogels have promising applications in flexible pressure sensors. However, it is still difficult to prepare graphene aerogels with high sensitivity and reliable mechanical stability due to the challenge in structural regulation. This study proposes an innovative method for preparing graphene aerogel by combining wet-electrospinning and freeze-drying. The resultant is a cotton-like 3D graphene fiber aerogel (GFA) with soft exterior but firm essence. The aerogel assembled of randomly stacked 1D graphene fiber, exhibiting softness and low compressive strength, thus ensuring the highly sensitive. Furthermore, this graphene fiber possessing strong mechanical properties after high-temperature thermal annealing, guarantees the fatigue resistance and elasticity of the aerogel. Therefore, the assembled GFA-based pressure sensor is ultrasensitive with a high sensitivity of 18.55 kPa−1 and a low detection limit of 2 Pa. Additionally, it has a rapid response time of 2 ms and maintains good stability even after 3000 cycles. The exceptional properties of GFA suggest its immense potential for application in human health monitoring and motion detection. In addition, the wet-electrospinning preparation of GFA provides a new strategy for the fabrication of graphene aerogels. [Display omitted] •A novel method for preparing graphene aerogel by combining wet-electrospinning and freeze-drying.•The resultant is a cotton-like 3D graphene fiber aerogel (GFA) with soft exterior but firm essence.•The GFA is fibrous aerogel assembled of randomly stacked 1D graphene fiber.•The GFA-based sensor has ultrahigh sensitivity of 18.55 kPa−1 and a low detection limit of 2 Pa.