Synthesis of one-molecule-thick single-crystalline nanosheets of energetic material for high-sensitive force sensor

Energetic material is a reactive substance that contains a great amount of potential energy, which is extremely sensitive to external stimuli like force. In this work, one-molecule-thick single-crystalline nanosheets of energetic material were synthesized. Very small force applied on the nanosheet proves to lead to the rotation of the tilted nitro groups, and subsequently change of current of the nanosheet. We apply this principle to design high-sensitive force sensor. A theoretical model of force-current dependence was established based on the nanosheets' molecular packing structure model that was well supported with the high resolution XPS, AFM analysis results. An ultra-low-force with range of several picoNewton to several nanoNewton can be measured by determination of corresponding current value.