Structural optimization of field-effect modulated P3HT OTFT flexible pressure sensors for high sensitivity and rapid response

Flexible pressure sensors are crucial for applications such as human machine interfaces, soft robotics, electronic skin, and medical diagnostics and therapeutics. However, these sensors face various limitations, such as low sensitivity and slow response times. In this study, we developed an innovative methodology that integrates the pressure transduction mechanism with field-effect modulation principles to fabricate a pressure sensor based on poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). We quantitatively analyzed the sensing mechanism of the P3HT OTFT flexible pressure sensor and implemented structural optimizations based on the underlying principles. Consequently, the optimized P3HT OTFT flexible pressure sensor demonstrated exceptional sensing performance, along with low response and recovery times. Furthermore, the sensor exhibited high mechanical durability, enduring over 2000 bending cycles without deterioration. Furthermore, we achieved efficient pressure distribution detection with high-resolution spatial mapping capabilities by integrating the OTFT sensors into wearable arrays, demonstrating significant potential for wearable technology applications. These findings present considerable potential for the implementation of OTFT-based flexible sensors in wearable electronics.