Robust yet flexible slippery layered composite surfaces with a programmable pressure-resistance response under extreme environmental conditions

Abstract

Flexible pressure sensors offering stable operation in harsh environments are in high demand, such as large pressure detection, submerged sensing, and detection in extremely low-temperature environments. However, deterioration of the functions of the component interfacial materials under severe conditions leads to poorer sensitivity, lifetimes, and reliability. To overcome these challenges, we report high-performance slippery surfaces with mechanical robustness and excellent flexibility by virtue of ordered arrangements of two-dimensional nanosheets in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) gel. Through reasonably tuning the types of lubricants and nanosheets, the slippery layered composite surfaces exhibit excellent mechanical properties (ultrahigh tensile strength of 235.9 ± 14.7 MPa, super-strong anti-compressive strength of 675.1 ± 32.9 MPa, and superb bending flexibility of 2874 ± 153 times) and superior liquid repellency whether at room temperature or at low temperature (down to −65 °C). In particular, the fabricated wearable sensors using the slippery layered composite surfaces exhibit not only excellent durability (10 000 cycles at 300 kPa pressure, or 2600 cycles under 90° bending), but also remarkable stability under harsh environmental conditions, including high pressure (320 kPa), ultra-low temperature (−65 °C), high humidity (95% RH), and under liquids (water, sweat, ionic liquid and N,N-dimethylformamide solvent). It is believed that the development of slippery layered composite surfaces with high mechanical performance provides new prospects for sophisticated wearable electronic devices.