Development of Flexible 3D Graphene/PDMS Composite Film for Strain Sensing

Piezoresistive strain sensor has been studied for real-time monitoring of human body motion detections. However, the traditionally available strain sensor suffer from various drawbacks such as can only withstand limited strain (< 5%) before fracture, small gauge factor, leakage of liquid, complex synthesis, time consuming and high cost. Recently, 2D graphene has started to be developed as the sensing element for the strain sensor due to its extraordinary electrical, mechanical, optical, thermal, and chemical properties. The objective of this research is to develop a flexible and stretchable 3D graphene/poly(dimethlysiloxane) (PDMS) composite film. The 3D graphene is another variant of graphene, in which it is mechanically robust and stable. The 3D graphene was synthesized on nickel foam as the template using chemical vapor deposition technique. Then, the 3D graphene was incorporated with PDMS and the nickel was etched to obtained free standing 3D graphene/PDMS composite film.