Self-Healing Stretchable Thermoelectric Polymer Composite with Bismuth Antimony Telluride and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Thermoreceptor-Inspired Modular Systems

Abstract

Electronic skin (E-skin) devices have been widely applied in various fields, such as human-machine interfaces and prosthetics, offering significant convenience. The development of these devices has been largely driven by the advancement of stretchable and self-healing materials (SSM), which enable conformable attachment to human skin and autonomous healing, thereby restoring mechanical and electrical properties after damage. Leveraging these advantages, recent E-skin devices based on SSM have focused on mimicking the functionalities of human tissues, including stretching, somatic sensation, and wound healing, ultimately resembling artificial robotic skin. However, replicating the sensory capabilities of the natural skin in these devices remains challenging. While previous studies have primarily emphasized pressure and force sensing, the integration of temperature perception is crucial for achieving more comprehensive functionality. In this work, we present a thermoelectric polymer composite (TPC) that exhibits thermoelectric, self-healing, and stretchable properties, inspired by the thermal sensory system of the skin. The TPC, consisting of a self-healing polymer, conductive nanofillers, and inorganic thermoelectric particles, withstands deformation (up to 1197% strain) and exhibits self-healing properties. The TPC generates a voltage in response to temperature, and its conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and power factor recover to over 90% after damage. Furthermore, the measured voltage data were utilized to control a robotic hand, achieving a modular platform through self-bonding.