Gradient nanofiber aerogels for extreme cryogenic and thermal environments

Striking a balance between sensitivity and detection range while ensuring stability under extreme temperatures remains a formidable challenge in the design of flexible pressure sensors. To address this issue, we draw inspiration from the multi-gradient architectures of nature and propose a bottom-up self-assembly strategy. By leveraging a meticulously orchestrated multi-step approach that encompasses electrospinning, sequential freezing, and thermal imidization, we successfully fabricate a polyimide nanofiber/carbon nanotube dual-gradient aerogel with a dynamic stiffness transition from flexible to rigid states. Experimental results highlight notable properties of the dual-gradient aerogel, which exhibits an…

• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai
• DU
  Donghua University
• FR
  Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities