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Laser-Induced Graphene from Paper for Mechanical Sensing.
Bohdan Kulyk1, Beatriz F R Silva1, Alexandre F Carvalho1
1i3N, Department of Physics, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|February 23, 2021
Summary
Researchers created strain and bending sensors from laser-induced graphene (LIG) on paper. This sustainable method offers versatile, low-cost mechanical sensing for electronics and biomonitoring applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Cellulosic materials like paper offer a sustainable and abundant substrate for advanced material synthesis.
- Laser-induced graphene (LIG) synthesis presents a novel method for creating conductive materials on diverse surfaces.
- Developing low-cost, environmentally friendly sensors is crucial for widespread adoption in consumer electronics and biomonitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the systematic influence of CO2 laser irradiation parameters on the conversion of cellulose fibers into laser-induced graphene (LIG).
- To characterize the morphology, structure, conductivity, and surface chemistry of the synthesized LIG on paper.
- To demonstrate the functionality of LIG-based strain and bending sensors fabricated from paper.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a CO2 laser to irradiate regular filter paper for the synthesis of laser-induced graphene (LIG).
- Conducting a systematic study to optimize process parameters affecting cellulose-to-LIG conversion.
- Characterizing the resulting LIG material using techniques to analyze morphology, structure, conductivity, and surface chemistry.
- Fabricating and testing strain and bending sensors based on the synthesized LIG-paper material.
Main Results:
- Achieved porous, electrically conductive, weblike structures of LIG on cellulosic paper.
- Obtained sheet resistances as low as 32 Ω sq⁻¹.
- Demonstrated functional strain sensors with a gauge factor of approximately 42.
- Validated the performance of bending sensors in various configurations.
Conclusions:
- Laser-induced graphene (LIG) can be effectively synthesized on paper, creating versatile materials for mechanical sensing.
- The developed LIG-paper sensors exhibit promising performance for strain and bending detection.
- This approach offers a sustainable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly pathway for fabricating advanced sensors for diverse applications.
