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Vertically-aligned Ti2CTx on carbon cloth for high-performance flexible pressure sensors

Jianyu Zhou1, Zhongyi Duan1, La Li1, Kai Jiang2, and Di Chen1,

+ Author Affiliations

 Corresponding author: Kai Jiang, jiangk301@126.com; Di Chen, chendi@bit.edu.cn

DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25120033CSTR: 32376.14.1674-4926.25120033

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Abstract: High performance flexible pressure sensors, as a very important group of electronic component for information transmission and collection, have gained widespread attention. Herein, Ti2CTx MXene nanosheets were vertically grown on carbon cloth substrate (Ti2CTx@CC) via the simple sintering and subsequent etching process. Flexible pressure sensors featuring the Ti2CTx MXene nanosheets as the sensitive material were then fabricated using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film weaved by the electrospinning route between the sensitive material and the interdigital electrodes to improve the sensitivity. As-fabricated flexible sensor exhibited superior performances including high sensitivity up to 3109.2 kPa−1, good response and recovery time of 80/80 ms, and favorable stability over 8000 loading/unloading cycles. Boasting the high sensitivity across a broad range, the sensor can in real-time capture a spectrum of human activities—from the faint pulse signal to the large pressure of joint activities and shows promising capability for mapping spatial pressure distribution.

Key words: Ti2CTx MXenepiezoresistive sensorwearableaction monitoring



[1]
Yang M, Cheng Y F, Yue Y, et al. High-performance flexible pressure sensor with a self-healing function for tactile feedback. Adv Sci, 2022, 9(20): 2200507
[2]
Sharma S, Chhetry A, Sharifuzzaman M, et al. Wearable capacitive pressure sensor based on MXene composite nanofibrous scaffolds for reliable human physiological signal acquisition. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2020, 12(19): 22212 doi: 10.1021/acsami.0c05819
[3]
Ma Y N, Cheng Y F, Wang J, et al. Flexible and highly-sensitive pressure sensor based on controllably oxidized MXene. InfoMat, 2022, 4(9): e12328 doi: 10.1002/inf2.12328
[4]
Maji A, Kuila C, Murmu N C, et al. Stretch, sense, and innovate: Advances in next-generation strain sensors. Compos Part B Eng, 2025, 306: 112749 doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112749
[5]
Chen Y D, Lv C H, Ye X L, et al. Hydrogel-based pressure sensors for electronic skin systems. Matter, 2025, 8(3): 101992 doi: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.101992
[6]
Qin Y X, Gao B, Chen Y X, et al. Flexible multimodal sensors based on fibrous porous networks of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and polydimethylsiloxane for sensing and distinguishing vertical and shear force. ACS Appl Nano Mater, 2023, 6(11): 9569 doi: 10.1021/acsanm.3c01270
[7]
Yan Y Y, Zheng J Z, Zhang Q R, et al. Ultrafast piezoresistive flexible pressure sensor for vibration and sound detection with a bandwidth over 20 kHz. Chem Eng J, 2025, 517: 164221 doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.164221
[8]
Van Nguyen D, Song P G, Manshaii F, et al. Advances in soft strain and pressure sensors. ACS Nano, 2025, 19(7): 6663 doi: 10.1021/acsnano.4c15134
[9]
Mishra S, Mohanty S, Ramadoss A. Functionality of flexible pressure sensors in cardiovascular health monitoring: A review. ACS Sens, 2022, 7(9): 2495 doi: 10.1021/acssensors.2c00942
[10]
Wang S, Cheng H L, Yao B, et al. Self-adhesive, stretchable, biocompatible, and conductive nonvolatile eutectogels as wearable conformal strain and pressure sensors and biopotential electrodes for precise health monitoring. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2021, 13(17): 20735 doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c04671
[11]
Yang L, Wang H L, Yuan W J, et al. Wearable pressure sensors based on MXene/tissue papers for wireless human health monitoring. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2021, 13(50): 60531 doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c22001
[12]
Shu Q H, Pang Y C, Li Q Q, et al. Flexible resistive tactile pressure sensors. J Mater Chem A, 2024, 12(16): 9296 doi: 10.1039/D3TA06976A
[13]
Tang Z H, Xue S S, Wang D Y, et al. 3D printing of soft and porous composite pressure sensor with monotonic and positive resistance response. Compos Sci Technol, 2023, 241: 110126 doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2023.110126
[14]
Shi H T, Ren K Q, Jiang H L, et al. Honeycomb-shaped flexible capacitive pressure sensor with ultrahigh sensitivity and an exceptionally broad linear response range. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2025, 17(34): 48563 doi: 10.1021/acsami.5c12035
[15]
Zhu J J, Zhang Z, Liu H T, et al. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/graphene composite pressure sensors and their potential applications in sports training. Alex Eng J, 2024, 106: 460 doi: 10.1016/j.aej.2024.08.070
[16]
Ji F, Sun Z X, Hang T Y, et al. Flexible piezoresistive pressure sensors based on nanocellulose aerogels for human motion monitoring: A review. Compos Commun, 2022, 35: 101351 doi: 10.1016/j.coco.2022.101351
[17]
Kim S W, Lee J H, Ko H J, et al. Mechanically robust and linearly sensitive soft piezoresistive pressure sensor for a wearable human–robot interaction system. ACS Nano, 2024, 18(4): 3151 doi: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09016
[18]
Zhang C, Lang S P, Tao M, et al. Deep learning-assisted piezoresistive pressure sensors with broad-range ultrasensitivity for wearable motion monitoring. Nano Energy, 2025, 140: 111035 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2025.111035
[19]
Khuje S, Sheng A, Yu J, et al. Flexible copper nanowire electronics for wireless dynamic pressure sensing. ACS Appl Electron Mater, 2021, 3(12): 5468 doi: 10.1021/acsaelm.1c00905
[20]
Chun S, Son W, Choi C. Flexible pressure sensors using highly-oriented and free-standing carbon nanotube sheets. Carbon, 2018, 139: 586 doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2018.07.005
[21]
Zhai Y H, Wang T, Qi Z K, et al. Highly sensitive flexible pressure sensors based on graphene/graphene scrolls multilayer hybrid films. Chin J Chem Phys, 2020, 33(3): 365 doi: 10.1063/1674-0068/cjcp1907146
[22]
Lei P, Bao Y, Zhang W B, et al. Synergy of ZnO nanowire arrays and electrospun membrane gradient wrinkles in piezoresistive materials for wide-sensing range and high-sensitivity flexible pressure sensor. Adv Fiber Mater, 2024, 6(2): 414 doi: 10.1007/s42765-023-00359-4
[23]
Lei D D, Liu N S, Su T Y, et al. Roles of MXene in pressure sensing: Preparation, composite structure design, and mechanism. Adv Mater, 2022, 34(52): 2110608 doi: 10.1002/adma.202110608
[24]
Li X L, Huang Z D, Shuck C E, et al. MXene chemistry, electrochemistry and energy storage applications. Nat Rev Chem, 2022, 6(6): 389 doi: 10.1038/s41570-022-00384-8
[25]
Hong X Y, Du Z J, Li L, et al. Biomimetic honeycomb-like Ti3C2Tx MXene/bacterial cellulose aerogel-based flexible pressure sensor for the human–computer interface. ACS Sens, 2024, 10(1): 417 doi: 10.1021/acssensors.4c02716.s001
[26]
Khazaei M, Arai M, Sasaki T, et al. Novel electronic and magnetic properties of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides. Adv Funct Mater, 2013, 23(17): 2185 doi: 10.1002/adfm.201202502
[27]
Faraji M, Bafekry A, Fadlallah M M, et al. Surface modification of titanium carbide MXene monolayers (Ti2C and Ti3C2) via chalcogenide and halogenide atoms. Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2021, 23(28): 15319 doi: 10.1039/D1CP01788H
[28]
Wang Y J, Liu S X, Zhu F, et al. MXene core-shell nanosheets: Facile synthesis, optical properties, and versatile photonics applications. Nanomaterials, 2021, 11(8): 1995 doi: 10.3390/nano11081995
[29]
Zhang L, Li L, He H L, et al. Enabling Ti2C MXene on carbon cloth as binder-free anode for distinguished lithium-ion and sodium-ion storage. J Power Sources, 2023, 574: 233144 doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2023.233144
[30]
Shi B, Chen L, Jen T C, et al. Vertical arrangement of Ti2CTx MXene nanosheets on carbon fibers for high-performance and flexible Zn-ion supercapacitors. ACS Appl Nano Mater, 2023, 6(1): 315 doi: 10.1021/acsanm.2c04422
[31]
Wang S, Shao H Q, Liu Y, et al. Boosting piezoelectric response of PVDF-TrFE via MXene for self-powered linear pressure sensor. Compos Sci Technol, 2021, 202: 108600 doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2020.108600
[32]
Naguib M, Barsoum M W, Gogotsi Y. Ten years of progress in the synthesis and development of MXenes. Adv Mater, 2021, 33(39): 2170303 doi: 10.1002/adma.202170303
[33]
Li X D, Li X, Liu T, et al. Wearable, washable, and highly sensitive piezoresistive pressure sensor based on a 3D sponge network for real-time monitoring human body activities. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2021, 13(39): 46848 doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c09975
[34]
Liu L C, Yuan Y, Xu H, et al. Pressure sensor with wide detection range and high sensitivity for wearable human health monitoring. J Semicond, 2025, 46(4): 042401 doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/24110017
Fig. 1.  (Color online) (a) Schematic of the fabrication process of the directional vertical arrangement of Ti2CTx MXene nanosheet on carbon fiber. (b) The preparation flowchart of the Ti2CTx@CC based piezoresistive pressure sensor and its potential application. (c) Some pictures of the as-fabricated flexible pressure sensor. (i) the width of the sensor (ii) the bendability of the sensor (iii) the thickness of the sensor.

Fig. 2.  (Color online) Characterizations of the synthesized samples. SEM images of (a) pure carbon cloth (b) Ti2AlC@CC (c) Ti2CTx@CC. (d) XRD patterns of Ti2AlC@CC and Ti2CTx@CC. (e) TEM image of Ti2CTx nanosheet. (f) AFM image of Ti2CTx nanosheet.

Fig. 3.  (Color online) Sensing performance of the Ti2CTx @CC based flexible pressure sensor. (a) Relative resistance variations versus the pressure applied to the different structures of pressure sensors based on (i) Ti2AlC@CC, (ii) Ti2CTx@CC, and (iii) Ti2CTx@CC/PVDF. (b) Real-time relative resistance variations during cyclic loading/unloading at different pressure levels. (c) Current response under different rates under a 800 Pa pressure. (d) Response and recovery time under a 1 kPa pressure. (e) Current response under a slight pressure of 200 Pa. (f) Stability performance of the pressure sensor with a high pressure of 40 kPa over 8000 cycles. (g) Current–voltage (I–V) curves of the sensor under varying pressures ranging from 4 kPa to 48 kPa.

Fig. 4.  (Color online) Sensing mechanism of the Ti2CTx@CC based flexible pressure sensor. (a) The equivalent model diagram of the device under pressure. (b) The equivalent circuit diagram of the resistance.

Fig. 5.  (Color online) Real-time monitoring of the flexible pressure sensor towards various physiological signals in the human body and minor pressure. (a) Pulse pulsation. (b) Finger bending. (c) Wrist bending. (d) Elbow bending. (e) Knee bending. (f) Throat swallowing. (g) Clicking the mouse. (h) Photograph of different weights applied on the 4 × 4 pressure sensor array and the corresponding spatial pressure distribution.

[1]
Yang M, Cheng Y F, Yue Y, et al. High-performance flexible pressure sensor with a self-healing function for tactile feedback. Adv Sci, 2022, 9(20): 2200507
[2]
Sharma S, Chhetry A, Sharifuzzaman M, et al. Wearable capacitive pressure sensor based on MXene composite nanofibrous scaffolds for reliable human physiological signal acquisition. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2020, 12(19): 22212 doi: 10.1021/acsami.0c05819
[3]
Ma Y N, Cheng Y F, Wang J, et al. Flexible and highly-sensitive pressure sensor based on controllably oxidized MXene. InfoMat, 2022, 4(9): e12328 doi: 10.1002/inf2.12328
[4]
Maji A, Kuila C, Murmu N C, et al. Stretch, sense, and innovate: Advances in next-generation strain sensors. Compos Part B Eng, 2025, 306: 112749 doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112749
[5]
Chen Y D, Lv C H, Ye X L, et al. Hydrogel-based pressure sensors for electronic skin systems. Matter, 2025, 8(3): 101992 doi: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.101992
[6]
Qin Y X, Gao B, Chen Y X, et al. Flexible multimodal sensors based on fibrous porous networks of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and polydimethylsiloxane for sensing and distinguishing vertical and shear force. ACS Appl Nano Mater, 2023, 6(11): 9569 doi: 10.1021/acsanm.3c01270
[7]
Yan Y Y, Zheng J Z, Zhang Q R, et al. Ultrafast piezoresistive flexible pressure sensor for vibration and sound detection with a bandwidth over 20 kHz. Chem Eng J, 2025, 517: 164221 doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.164221
[8]
Van Nguyen D, Song P G, Manshaii F, et al. Advances in soft strain and pressure sensors. ACS Nano, 2025, 19(7): 6663 doi: 10.1021/acsnano.4c15134
[9]
Mishra S, Mohanty S, Ramadoss A. Functionality of flexible pressure sensors in cardiovascular health monitoring: A review. ACS Sens, 2022, 7(9): 2495 doi: 10.1021/acssensors.2c00942
[10]
Wang S, Cheng H L, Yao B, et al. Self-adhesive, stretchable, biocompatible, and conductive nonvolatile eutectogels as wearable conformal strain and pressure sensors and biopotential electrodes for precise health monitoring. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2021, 13(17): 20735 doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c04671
[11]
Yang L, Wang H L, Yuan W J, et al. Wearable pressure sensors based on MXene/tissue papers for wireless human health monitoring. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2021, 13(50): 60531 doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c22001
[12]
Shu Q H, Pang Y C, Li Q Q, et al. Flexible resistive tactile pressure sensors. J Mater Chem A, 2024, 12(16): 9296 doi: 10.1039/D3TA06976A
[13]
Tang Z H, Xue S S, Wang D Y, et al. 3D printing of soft and porous composite pressure sensor with monotonic and positive resistance response. Compos Sci Technol, 2023, 241: 110126 doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2023.110126
[14]
Shi H T, Ren K Q, Jiang H L, et al. Honeycomb-shaped flexible capacitive pressure sensor with ultrahigh sensitivity and an exceptionally broad linear response range. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2025, 17(34): 48563 doi: 10.1021/acsami.5c12035
[15]
Zhu J J, Zhang Z, Liu H T, et al. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/graphene composite pressure sensors and their potential applications in sports training. Alex Eng J, 2024, 106: 460 doi: 10.1016/j.aej.2024.08.070
[16]
Ji F, Sun Z X, Hang T Y, et al. Flexible piezoresistive pressure sensors based on nanocellulose aerogels for human motion monitoring: A review. Compos Commun, 2022, 35: 101351 doi: 10.1016/j.coco.2022.101351
[17]
Kim S W, Lee J H, Ko H J, et al. Mechanically robust and linearly sensitive soft piezoresistive pressure sensor for a wearable human–robot interaction system. ACS Nano, 2024, 18(4): 3151 doi: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09016
[18]
Zhang C, Lang S P, Tao M, et al. Deep learning-assisted piezoresistive pressure sensors with broad-range ultrasensitivity for wearable motion monitoring. Nano Energy, 2025, 140: 111035 doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2025.111035
[19]
Khuje S, Sheng A, Yu J, et al. Flexible copper nanowire electronics for wireless dynamic pressure sensing. ACS Appl Electron Mater, 2021, 3(12): 5468 doi: 10.1021/acsaelm.1c00905
[20]
Chun S, Son W, Choi C. Flexible pressure sensors using highly-oriented and free-standing carbon nanotube sheets. Carbon, 2018, 139: 586 doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2018.07.005
[21]
Zhai Y H, Wang T, Qi Z K, et al. Highly sensitive flexible pressure sensors based on graphene/graphene scrolls multilayer hybrid films. Chin J Chem Phys, 2020, 33(3): 365 doi: 10.1063/1674-0068/cjcp1907146
[22]
Lei P, Bao Y, Zhang W B, et al. Synergy of ZnO nanowire arrays and electrospun membrane gradient wrinkles in piezoresistive materials for wide-sensing range and high-sensitivity flexible pressure sensor. Adv Fiber Mater, 2024, 6(2): 414 doi: 10.1007/s42765-023-00359-4
[23]
Lei D D, Liu N S, Su T Y, et al. Roles of MXene in pressure sensing: Preparation, composite structure design, and mechanism. Adv Mater, 2022, 34(52): 2110608 doi: 10.1002/adma.202110608
[24]
Li X L, Huang Z D, Shuck C E, et al. MXene chemistry, electrochemistry and energy storage applications. Nat Rev Chem, 2022, 6(6): 389 doi: 10.1038/s41570-022-00384-8
[25]
Hong X Y, Du Z J, Li L, et al. Biomimetic honeycomb-like Ti3C2Tx MXene/bacterial cellulose aerogel-based flexible pressure sensor for the human–computer interface. ACS Sens, 2024, 10(1): 417 doi: 10.1021/acssensors.4c02716.s001
[26]
Khazaei M, Arai M, Sasaki T, et al. Novel electronic and magnetic properties of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides. Adv Funct Mater, 2013, 23(17): 2185 doi: 10.1002/adfm.201202502
[27]
Faraji M, Bafekry A, Fadlallah M M, et al. Surface modification of titanium carbide MXene monolayers (Ti2C and Ti3C2) via chalcogenide and halogenide atoms. Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2021, 23(28): 15319 doi: 10.1039/D1CP01788H
[28]
Wang Y J, Liu S X, Zhu F, et al. MXene core-shell nanosheets: Facile synthesis, optical properties, and versatile photonics applications. Nanomaterials, 2021, 11(8): 1995 doi: 10.3390/nano11081995
[29]
Zhang L, Li L, He H L, et al. Enabling Ti2C MXene on carbon cloth as binder-free anode for distinguished lithium-ion and sodium-ion storage. J Power Sources, 2023, 574: 233144 doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2023.233144
[30]
Shi B, Chen L, Jen T C, et al. Vertical arrangement of Ti2CTx MXene nanosheets on carbon fibers for high-performance and flexible Zn-ion supercapacitors. ACS Appl Nano Mater, 2023, 6(1): 315 doi: 10.1021/acsanm.2c04422
[31]
Wang S, Shao H Q, Liu Y, et al. Boosting piezoelectric response of PVDF-TrFE via MXene for self-powered linear pressure sensor. Compos Sci Technol, 2021, 202: 108600 doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2020.108600
[32]
Naguib M, Barsoum M W, Gogotsi Y. Ten years of progress in the synthesis and development of MXenes. Adv Mater, 2021, 33(39): 2170303 doi: 10.1002/adma.202170303
[33]
Li X D, Li X, Liu T, et al. Wearable, washable, and highly sensitive piezoresistive pressure sensor based on a 3D sponge network for real-time monitoring human body activities. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2021, 13(39): 46848 doi: 10.1021/acsami.1c09975
[34]
Liu L C, Yuan Y, Xu H, et al. Pressure sensor with wide detection range and high sensitivity for wearable human health monitoring. J Semicond, 2025, 46(4): 042401 doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/24110017

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    Received: 18 December 2025 Revised: 27 January 2026 Online: Accepted Manuscript: 28 February 2026

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      Jianyu Zhou, Zhongyi Duan, La Li, Kai Jiang, Di Chen. Vertically-aligned Ti2CTx on carbon cloth for high-performance flexible pressure sensors[J]. Journal of Semiconductors, 2026, In Press. doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/25120033 ****J Y Zhou, Z Y Duan, L Li, K Jiang, and D Chen, Vertically-aligned Ti2CTx on carbon cloth for high-performance flexible pressure sensors[J]. J. Semicond., 2026, accepted doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/25120033
      Citation:
      Jianyu Zhou, Zhongyi Duan, La Li, Kai Jiang, Di Chen. Vertically-aligned Ti2CTx on carbon cloth for high-performance flexible pressure sensors[J]. Journal of Semiconductors, 2026, In Press. doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/25120033 ****
      J Y Zhou, Z Y Duan, L Li, K Jiang, and D Chen, Vertically-aligned Ti2CTx on carbon cloth for high-performance flexible pressure sensors[J]. J. Semicond., 2026, accepted doi: 10.1088/1674-4926/25120033

      Vertically-aligned Ti2CTx on carbon cloth for high-performance flexible pressure sensors

      DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/25120033
      CSTR: 32376.14.1674-4926.25120033
      More Information
      • Jianyu Zhou got his bachelor's degree in 2023 from Northeastern University. Now he is a master's student at Beijing Institute of Technology under the supervision of Prof. Di Chen. His research focuses on MXene-based flexible pressure sensors
      • Kai Jiang received his MB/BS degree from Second Military Medical College, Shanghai, China, in 1991, and MD/PhD degrees from Chinese PLA Postgraduate Medical College, Beijing, China, in 1998. He further studied at the Queen Mary Hospital of University of Hong Kong in 2002, and Universitat de Barcelona, Spain, in 2008. He has been with the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital since 1991, where he is currently a professor of surgery and vice Dean of the Department. His current research interests focus on surgical operation and applications of nanotechnology in clinical medicine
      • Di Chen received her BSc degree (1999) in chemistry from Anhui Normal University and PhD degree (2005) in chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of China. She has worked as a professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology and University of Science and Technology Beijing. In 2022, she joined the School of Integrated Circuit at Beijing Institute of Technology. Her current research focuses on Flexible sensors for health monitoring
      • Corresponding author: jiangk301@126.comchendi@bit.edu.cn
      • Received Date: 2025-12-18
      • Revised Date: 2026-01-27
      • Available Online: 2026-02-28

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