Magnetically Assisted 3D Printing of Ultra-Antiwear Flexible Sensor

ZY Ma and YH Wu and S Lu and JN Li and JB Liu and XD Huang and XD Zhang and Y Zhang and GN Dong and LG Qin and S Yang, ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, 34 (2024).

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202406108

3D printing has shown promise in the development of notable sensing and health detection devices. Nonetheless, challenges remain in the concurrent development of highly durable wearable sensors with low- friction surfaces. This challenge serves as a limiting factor in the operational lifespans of these sensors. In this study, a magnetically assisted 3D printing technique is developed to fabricate composites reinforced with magnetic Fe3O4@SiO2 nanochains (NCs) with dimensions of 60.2 mu m in length (L) and 0.2 mu m in diameter (D), indicating an L:D ratio exceeding 300. By applying a vertical magnetic field and extrusion flow field to the sensor's surface layer, the NCs can be arranged differently (together with the printed textures), reducing the coefficient of friction by 27.7% and improving the wear resistance. This approach is inspired by nacre, known for its impressive durability and resilience. A motion monitoring sensor with an extended lifespan is successfully fabricated by using liquid metal ink integrated with an anti-wear layer. These findings offer significant insights into the evolution of wearable sensors, demonstrating their adaptability to multi-material printing and resulting in improved performance and service lives. This work introduces a magnetically assisted 3D printing method using Fe3O4@SiO2 nano chains for enhanced wear resistance. Applying a magnetic field alters nanochain alignment, thereby reducing friction and improving durability. The results of this research can be considered to highlight advancements in developing adaptable, multimaterial printed flexible sensors with improved service life and performance. image

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