Flexible touch sensor with multilayer structure and manufacturing method thereof
Technical Field
The invention relates to the technical field of flexible artificial electronic skin, in particular to a flexible touch sensor with a multilayer structure and a manufacturing method thereof.
Background
The flexible artificial electronic skin is a novel wearable flexible bionic touch sensor, can realize the function of simulating human touch perception, and can sense external stimuli such as different pressures, temperatures, humidity and the like more accurately by using a touch sensing unit made of malleable materials and structures, so that the flexible artificial electronic skin can be used as an important application part in the aspects of new-generation medical equipment, human artificial limbs, robot skin and the like; the traditional touch sensor has the difficulty of having high flexibility and good electronic semiconductor performance under the action of tensile stress; although the sensitivity, flexibility, extensibility and other properties of a single sensing unit are greatly improved through the continuous efforts of many scientific researchers, the sensitivity, flexibility, extensibility and other properties of the single sensing unit still have great difficulty when the single sensing unit is applied to a carrier with a large surface area; the manufacturing cost of the flexible electronic skin with high sensitivity is large; in recent years, the capacitive touch sensor has the characteristics of high sensitivity, larger dynamic range, high spatial resolution, good frequency response and the like, has wide application prospects in the fields of medical products, intelligent robots and wearable consumer electronics equipment, and therefore has great interest of experts at home and abroad, although the capacitive touch sensor can solve the decoupling problem facing multidimensional force by utilizing the characteristics of the structure of the capacitive touch sensor, parasitic capacitance is easy to generate, and a measuring circuit is complex; the pursuit of high flexibility, high accuracy and high sensitivity has therefore been one of the hot spots of research; the touch sensor with the multilayer micro-capacitance structure can obtain higher flexibility, precision and sensitivity, and has potential application value in the field of touch sensing.
The micro-capacitance structure in the multi-layer micro-capacitance structure touch sensor can be generally seen to be composed of an upper electrode layer, a lower electrode layer and a middle dielectric layer. The electrode layer is made of metal materials in the prior art, the electrode layer is easy to break under the action of external force for multiple times, if the electrode layer is applied to a large-area carrier, the metal electrode is too large, and the flexibility and the resolution are greatly reduced; the electrode layer of the novel capacitive touch sensor can be replaced by a non-metallic material, and Zhang Dong et al (Chinese patent application No.: 201310500417.X) provides a flexible thin-film touch sensor device using a carbon nanotube composite thin film as an electrode layer. The different choices of the medium layers determine the difference of indexes such as sensitivity, measuring range and the like of the sensor. The traditional dielectric layer adopts a solid or gas filling method, but gaps are easy to generate between electrode layers, and the sensitivity is low; in recent years, a novel material and structure are applied to an electrode layer, so that the performance of a touch sensor is greatly improved, and Huangying et al (Chinese patent application No. 201410206998.0) provide a touch sensor using PDMS as a medium layer; novel tactile sensors; fig. 1 shows a typical multilayer structure, which includes, from top to bottom, an upper electrode layer, a dielectric layer, a lower electrode layer, and a lower electrode layer. Compared with Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has low sensitivity, and is more suitable as an upper electrode layer and a lower electrode layer in designing a tactile sensor array.
The invention provides a flexible touch sensor with a multilayer structure and a manufacturing method thereof, wherein a double-dielectric-layer structure is developed; providing a simpler and more environment-friendly mode for preparing the AuNPs-PDMS composite film; the upper electrode layer and the lower electrode layer are made of PET materials with better adhesion with metals, the Ag electrode is made of MEMS on the PET film, and the novel flexible touch sensor obtained through material and structure improvement has wide application prospect in the field of artificial electronic skin, so that the design and development of the high-performance novel touch sensor with simple process are of great significance.
Disclosure of Invention
The invention aims to provide a flexible touch sensor with a multilayer structure and a manufacturing method thereof, wherein (1) a PET film is selected as an upper electrode layer and a lower electrode layer, an MEMS manufacturing process is adopted, an Ag target material is used, and electrodes are plated on the PET film by a magnetron sputtering technology; (2) on the silanized glass substrate, a PDMS film was prepared. Or preferably, the PDMS film can be prepared on a PET film of a lower electrode layer of the prepared electrode; (3) the conventional method of soaking the PDMS film in the gold-plating solution is not adopted, but the gold-plating solution is directly and uniformly dripped on the PDMS film, Au nano particles with high dielectric constant are added on the PDMS film, and the AuNPs-PDMS composite film is formed to be used as a first dielectric layer of the capacitive sensor; (4) and spin-coating PI on the prepared AuNPs-PDMS to form a PI film which is used as a second dielectric layer for film uncovering operation. Or, preferably, if the double dielectric layer is prepared on a PET film, no film uncovering operation is required. (5) And assembling the double-dielectric-layer film obtained by film uncovering to a PET (lower electrode layer) film with an Ag electrode by using acrylate glue, and assembling another PET film (upper electrode layer) with an Ag electrode on the PI film. Or preferably, an upper electrode layer is assembled on the PI film.
The invention adopts the technical scheme for solving the key problems that: a flexible tactile sensor having a multi-layer structure and a method for manufacturing the same, as shown in fig. 2: is characterized in that: the device comprises a PET upper electrode layer, an upper electrode, a PI dielectric layer, an AuNPs-PDMS composite film dielectric layer, a lower electrode and a PET lower electrode layer from top to bottom; the composite film is used for manufacturing an AuNPs-PDMS composite film in a simpler and environment-friendly mode to be used as a first dielectric layer of the capacitive sensor; the PI film is used as a second dielectric layer of the sensor; selecting a PET material as an upper electrode layer and a lower electrode layer; the upper and lower electrodes made of silver are manufactured by a magnetron sputtering process.
The invention takes AuNPs-PDMS composite film as the dielectric layer of the capacitance sensor, and the main working mechanism is as follows: by utilizing the double advantages of the gold nanometer and PDMS, when an applied external force acts on the PET electrode layer on the upper layer, the flexible multilayer micro-capacitance structure sensor is compressed, and the change of relative displacement delta L occurs between the upper silver electrode and the lower silver electrode, so that the capacitance is changed; the upper electrode layer and the lower electrode layer which are made of PET not only provide good ductility, but also have good adhesive strength between the PET film and the metal electrode, so that the metal electrode is prevented from being directly deposited on the AuNPs-PDMS composite film dielectric layer, and cracks are prevented from being generated due to the influence of thermal cycling.
Preferably, the upper electrode layer and the lower electrode layer are PET layers, and the thickness is 25-100 um.
The upper electrode material and the lower electrode material are Cu, Ag or Au, and the thickness is 8-10 nm.
The first dielectric layer is made of AuNPs-PDMS with the thickness of 2-10 nm.
The second dielectric layer is made of PI with the thickness of 2-10 nm.
Compared with the traditional touch sensor, the flexible touch sensor has the following advantages in the aspect of improving the overall performance of the flexible touch sensor:
when the AuNPs-PDMS composite film is prepared, a conventional method is not adopted, the PDMS film is not soaked in a gold-plating solution, the gold-plating solution is directly and uniformly dripped on the PDMS film, and Au nano particles with high dielectric constant are added on the PDMS film to form the AuNPs-PDMS composite film. In addition, a double-dielectric-layer structure is developed, the AuNPs-PDMS composite film is used as a first dielectric layer, the dual advantages of PDMS and AuNPs are fully utilized, and the PI film is used as a second dielectric layer of the sensor; the upper electrode layer and the lower electrode layer adopt PET films with better adhesion with metal to carry out magnetron sputtering, and electrodes are formed on the PET films in advance, so that the metal electrodes are prevented from being directly deposited on the dielectric layer, and cracks are prevented from being generated due to the influence of thermal cycle; the preparation process is compatible with the traditional basic process, does not need to change other existing production equipment, and is suitable for large-scale production.
Drawings
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary capacitive touch sensor.
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a multi-layer flexible tactile sensor according to the present invention.
In the figure: 1-upper electrode layer, 2-upper electrode, 3-dielectric layer, 4-lower electrode, 5-lower electrode layer, 6-PET film, 7-Ag electrode, 8-PI film, 9-AuNPs-PDMS composite film, 10-Ag electrode, 11-PET film
The specific implementation mode is as follows:
the invention relates to a preparation method of a flexible touch sensor with a multilayer structure, which comprises the following steps:
1. preparing an Ag electrode;
2. preparing a PDMS film;
3. preparing an AuNPs-PDMS film;
4. preparing a PI film;
5. and assembling the capacitive sensor.
Example 1:
1. manufacturing an upper capacitor electrode and a lower capacitor electrode by a magnetron sputtering process; firstly, the method comprises the following steps: and at room temperature, turning on a power supply, turning on an inflation valve, opening the cavity, placing the PET film, closing the cavity, and turning off the inflation valve, wherein the used target material is a silver target. II, secondly: and opening the vacuum gauge, the mechanical pump and the electromagnetic valve for pumping for 30s, opening the molecular pump and closing the electromagnetic valve. The circulating water is opened, the V1 valve is opened to pump to below 20Pa, the Ar valve is opened to pump to below 4.0Pa, and the V1 valve is closed. Thirdly, the method comprises the following steps: opening the Ar steel cylinder and switching the molecular pump. The vacuum gauge was closed, the flow display was opened and the valve control was adjusted to 14 sccm. Fourthly, the method comprises the following steps: closing the G valve, and adjusting the pressure: 2.2Pa, open the target shutter. And turning on a radio frequency power supply, turning on the stepping electrode and positively transmitting. Fifthly: pre-sputtering for 2min, waiting for each parameter to be stable, adjusting a valve G, and enabling the pressure to be as follows: 0.5 Pa. Non-magnetic controlled sputtering technological parameters: vacuum pressure 3.5x10-3Pa; the working pressure is 0.5 Pa; the flow rate of Ar used is 14 sccm; the power is 100W; the sputtering time was 15 min.
2. Cleaning the glass substrate at room temperature, and performing silanization treatment on the glass substrate; putting the glass substrate into a glass culture dish, dropwise adding trimethylchlorosilane, and covering a culture dish cover; after 15min, adding a certain amount of deionized water to clean the glass substrate; the glass substrate was placed in a forced air drying oven to be subjected to a drying treatment.
3. Preparing a PDMS film; mixing the silicon rubber main agent and the silicon rubber curing agent in a mass ratio of 10:1 at room temperature, and uniformly mixing by using a magnetic stirrer; carrying out vacuum-pumping defoaming treatment on the mixed materials for 1-1.5 h; dropping vacuum defoamed PDMS thick dropping liquid on a silanized glass substrate, putting the glass substrate into a spin coater for spin coating, then placing the glass substrate on a baking table at 70-80 ℃, and curing the PDMS film for 2 h.
4. Preparing a first dielectric layer; first, 1g of HAuCl was weighed at room temperature4Crystals, 100mL of C was added2H6O, 0.01g/mL of HAuCl was obtained4Taking a proper amount of 0.01g/mL HAuCl4The solution is evenly dripped on a PDMS film, sealed and placed for 48h in the dark. Secondly, weighing KHCO31g of the powder is placed in 5mL of deionized water for dissolution to prepare 0.2g/mL KHCO3And (3) solution. 1g of glucose is weighed, and 50mL of deionized water is weighed to obtain a glucose solution with the concentration of 0.02 g/mL. Respectively measuring 0.01g/mL HAuCl410mL of the solution, 10mL of a 0.02g/mL glucose solution, and 0.2g/mL KHCO3The solution was 5mL and mixed. And directly dripping the mixed solution onto a PDMS film treated by 0.01g/mL HAuCl4 solution, sealing and reacting for 24h in a dark place, and finally forming the AuNPs-PDMS film.
5. Preparing a second dielectric layer; and (3) at room temperature, spin-coating PI viscous dropping liquid on the prepared AuNPs-PDMS film by using a spin coater, and curing for 6 hours at room temperature to form the PI film. The double-layer composite film is peeled off from the glass sheet by means of sharp-nose tweezers or a thin blade. And assembling the double-dielectric-layer film obtained by film uncovering to a PET (lower electrode layer) film with an Ag electrode by using acrylate glue, and assembling another PET film (upper electrode layer) with an Ag electrode on the PI film.
Example 2:
1. manufacturing an upper capacitor electrode and a lower capacitor electrode by a magnetron sputtering process; firstly, the method comprises the following steps: and at room temperature, turning on a power supply, turning on an inflation valve, opening the cavity, placing the PET film, closing the cavity and closing the inflation valve. II, secondly: opening the vacuum gauge, mechanical pump and electromagnetic valve for 30s, opening the molecular pump, and closing the electromagnetic valveAnd (4) a valve. The circulating water is opened, the V1 valve is opened to pump to below 20Pa, the Ar valve is opened to pump to below 4.0Pa, and the V1 valve is closed. Thirdly, the method comprises the following steps: opening the Ar steel cylinder and switching the molecular pump. The vacuum gauge was closed, the flow display was opened and the valve control was adjusted to 14 sccm. Fourthly, the method comprises the following steps: closing the G valve, and adjusting the pressure: 2.2Pa, open the target shutter. And turning on a radio frequency power supply, turning on the stepping electrode and positively transmitting. Fifthly: pre-sputtering for 2min, waiting for each parameter to be stable, adjusting a valve G, and enabling the pressure to be as follows: 0.5 Pa. Non-magnetic controlled sputtering technological parameters: vacuum pressure: 3.5x10-3Pa; working pressure: 0.5 Pa; ar flow rate: 14 sccm; power: 100W; sputtering time: and 15 min.
2. Preparing a PDMS film; mixing the silicon rubber main agent and the silicon rubber curing agent in a mass ratio of 10:1 at room temperature, and uniformly mixing by using a magnetic stirrer; carrying out vacuum-pumping defoaming treatment on the mixed materials for 1-1.5 h; dropping vacuum defoamed PDMS viscous dropping liquid on a PET film (lower electrode layer) with an Ag electrode, putting the PET film into a spin coater for spin coating, and curing the PDMS film for 2h on a drying table at 70-80 ℃.
3. Preparing a first dielectric layer; first, 1g of HAuCl was weighed at room temperature4Crystals, 100mL of C was added2H6O, 0.01g/mL of HAuCl was obtained4Taking a proper amount of 0.01g/mL HAuCl4The solution is evenly dripped on a PDMS film, sealed and placed for 48h in the dark. Secondly, weighing KHCO3Powder 1g was dissolved in 5mL of deionized water to prepare 0.2g/mL KHCO3 solution. 1g of glucose is weighed, and 50mL of deionized water is weighed to obtain a glucose solution with the concentration of 0.02 g/mL. Respectively measuring 0.01g/mL HAuCl410mL of the solution, 10mL of a 0.02g/mL glucose solution, and 0.2g/mL KHCO3The solution was 5mL and mixed. And directly dripping the mixed solution onto a PDMS film treated by 0.01g/mL HAuCl4 solution, sealing and reacting for 24h in a dark place, and finally forming the AuNPs-PDMS film.
4. Preparing a second dielectric layer; and (3) at room temperature, spin-coating PI viscous dropping liquid on the prepared AuNPs-PDMS film by using a spin coater, curing for 6 hours at room temperature to form a PI film, and assembling an upper electrode layer PET film with an Ag electrode on the PI film.