Multifunctional Flexible Sensor Based on Laser-Induced Graphene

Tao Han, Anindya Nag, Roy B V B Simorangkir, Nasrin Afsarimanesh, Hangrui Liu, Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay, Yongzhao Xu, Maxim Zhadobov, Ronan Sauleau, Tao Han, Anindya Nag, Roy B V B Simorangkir, Nasrin Afsarimanesh, Hangrui Liu, Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay, Yongzhao Xu, Maxim Zhadobov, Ronan Sauleau

Abstract

The paper presents the design and fabrication of a low-cost and easy-to-fabricate laser-induced graphene sensor together with its implementation for multi-sensing applications. Laser-irradiation of commercial polymer film was applied for photo-thermal generation of graphene. The graphene patterned in an interdigitated shape was transferred onto Kapton sticky tape to form the electrodes of a capacitive sensor. The functionality of the sensor was validated by employing them in electrochemical and strain-sensing scenarios. Impedance spectroscopy was applied to investigate the response of the sensor. For the electrochemical sensing, different concentrations of sodium sulfate were prepared, and the fabricated sensor was used to detect the concentration differences. For the strain sensing, the sensor was deployed for monitoring of human joint movements and tactile sensing. The promising sensing results validating the applicability of the fabricated sensor for multiple sensing purposes are presented.

Keywords: capacitive sensors; electrochemical sensing; flexible sensors; interdigital; laser-induced graphene; strain sensing; wearable sensors.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic diagram illustrating the fabrication process of the laser-induced graphene sensor.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Morphology of the fabricated graphene sensor taken under SEM.
Figure 3
Figure 3
SEM images of the graphene morphology: (a) before tests, (b) after repetitive electrochemical sensing tests, and (c) after repetitive mechanical sensing tests. During the electrochemical test, the sensor was immersed in five samples with different concentrations and the process was repeated three times. During the mechanical test, repetitive bending-releasing movements were applied to the sensor for 25 min. The details are given in Section 4.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) Fabricated sensor with detailed design (all dimensions are in millimeters). (b) The bending view showing the flexibility of the sensor.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Illustration of the electrodynamics of a capacitive sensor.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Illustration of the induced strain affecting the overall dimensions of the sensor.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Experimental setup for testing of sulfate samples at different concentrations.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Impedance response of the sensor for different concentrations of sulfate.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Sensitivity of the graphene sensor towards the sulfate concentrations at (a) 28 and (b) 3500 Hz.
Figure 10
Figure 10
The repetitive electrochemical response of the sensor at (a) 28 and (b) 3500 Hz.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Response of the sensor for different bending radii of curvature.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Change in sensor impedance with respect to different strain values applied in the direction illustrated in the inset. The impedance change (|ΔZ|) is shown relative to the impedance when no strain induced (|Z0|).
Figure 13
Figure 13
Implementation of the sensor for real-time strain sensing. The sensor was attached to the (a) finger and (b) elbow joints of a 36-year-old volunteer for repetitive movements monitoring. (c) The sensor was attached to a ball for tactile sensing scenario.
Figure 14
Figure 14
Responses of the sensor with respect to (a) repetitive movements of finger joint, (b) repetitive movements of elbow joint, and (c) repetitive gently touches of index finger.
Figure 15
Figure 15
(a) Illustration of manual bending for investigating long-term response of the sensor (left: flat, right: bent). (b) Response of the sensor towards consecutive oscillatory bending for a duration of 1500 s. The inset of the figure shows the two separate time frames considered to validate the consistency in their responses.

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