Zufar Alfarros, Muhammad Luthfi Hakim, Rohadi Satrio Budi Utomo, Budi Prawara, Arif Kusumawanto, Muhammad Akhsin Muflikhun
A TiO₂/SiO₂/MWCNT/PV (TSMP) nanocomposite was synthesized through a modified sol–gel route to develop a structurally reinforced and highly conductive hybrid material for flexible strain-sensing applications. Characterization was done through a series of different tools including FT-IR, SEM-EDS, and UV-Visible analysis to ascertain the element distribution, chemical bonding, and optical absorption. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) revealed a glass transition temperature of 62.7 °C, indicating thermal stability suitable for wearable electronics. When integrated into a silicone rubber matrix, the TSMP/MWCNT composite enabled a flexible strain sensor with a gauge factor of 20.75, a strain ranges up to 100 %, a rapid response time of 130 ms, and stable electromechanical durability over 1200 loading–unloading cycles. These properties allowed precise real-time detection of human motions such as finger and wrist bending. The balanced contribution of TiO₂–SiO₂ structural rigidity, MWCNT conductivity, and PV matrix flexibility results in a robust and responsive nanocomposite. Notably, the PV employed in this work was derived from PV waste, demonstrating its successful incorporation into a high-performance functional material. The versatility and stability of this TSMP architecture also position it for future applications in soft robotics, interactive wearable systems, and next-generation health-monitoring platforms. © 2026 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Department of Electrical Engineering Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jakarta, Indonesia; Center for Energy Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Department of Architecture and Planning, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
