Flexible and Stretchable Electrodes for Capacitive Sensors

Capacitive sensors that can be well attached to complex and irregular surfaces require flexible and stretchable electrodes. To give a comprehensive comparison of the current flexible electrodes and point out the most promising electrode for capacitive sensors, several flexible electrodes were prepared and characterized. Their conductivity, stability, service life, cost, and their impact on sensor performance, application scope and limiting factors in daily life were investigated in a detailed manner. Through comparison, carbon nanotubes were considered the most promising flexible electrodes for sensors because of their excellent electrical and mechanical properties. Graphical Abstract The sensors with SWCNTs electrodes can maintain excellent sensing performance and show the best linearity in the capacitance-strain curve.