Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been widely used in many fields. However, the polymerization process of the
siloxane chain is highly complex, and it is challenging to enhance the mechanical properties of PDMS
elastomers significantly. We found that adding a small amount of
polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (Brij-35) into
siloxane polymers can result in B-PDMS
elastomers with high tensile properties and strong adhesion. It is worth noting that this is the first study to improve the mechanical properties of PDMS using
Brij-35. Here, we intensely studied a variety of process conditions that influence the cross-linking of PDMS, emphasizing the modification mechanism of the
polymer chain. The
hydroxyl groups in
Brij-35 and the
platinum catalyst in PDMS form a complex, which inhibits the cross-linking process of PDMS, not only forming a heterogeneous cross-linking network in the B-PDMS but also disentangling the strongly
wound siloxane polymer chain, thereby rearranging the PDMS
polymer chains. Furthermore, in order to prepare a strain sensor based on the B-PDMS
elastomer under safe and convenient conditions, we prepared
laser-scribed
graphene powder (LSGP) by
laser-scribing of
graphene oxide (GO) films, and the LSGP and
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) endowed the B-PDMS
elastomers with excellent electrical properties. The sensor could firmly adhere to the skin and generate a high-quality response to a variety of human motions, and it could drive the robotic hand to grasp and lift objects accurately. The high-performance strain sensors based on B-PDMS have broad applications in medical sensing and biopotential measurement.