A novel flexible sensor for respiratory monitoring based on in situ polymerization of polypyrrole and polyurethane coating

Abstract

Flexible conductive fabrics were made of knitted cotton fabric (KCF) based on in situ polymerization of polypyrrole and polyurethane coating. The properties of the conductive fabrics were investigated by a series of experiments such as SEM, FTIR, mechanics performance testing and washing fastness testing. The results showed that sensitivity, hysteresis, repeatability and washing fastness of knitted cotton fabrics with polypyrrole coating (KCF–P) greatly improved by surface polyurethane coating. Moreover, respiration monitoring data from volunteers also verified polyurethane coating to be thicker, with stronger output resistance variation. The knitted cotton fabrics with polypyrrole and polyurethane coating (KCF–PPU) have good application prospect in intelligent wearable fields.