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Laser-Etched Stretchable Graphene-Polymer Composite Array for Sensitive Strain and Viscosity Sensors.
Yuting Jiang1,2, Yang Wang1, Heting Wu1,2
1CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Key Laboratory of Micro-nano Energy and Sensor, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China.
Nano-Micro Letters
|June 17, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed flexible hydrophobic coatings using laser-engraved graphene-polymer films. These smart coatings control liquid spreading and measure strain and viscosity with high sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Controlling surface wettability and liquid spreading is crucial for various applications.
- Soft materials offer advantages for creating multifunctional smart coatings, particularly for strain sensing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple method for preparing flexible hydrophobic smart coatings using graphene-polymer films.
- To investigate the control of liquid spreading and strain sensing capabilities of these coatings.
Main Methods:
- Laser engraving was used to create patterned graphene-polymer films.
- The contact angle of liquid drops was controlled by pinning contact lines under tensile strain (0-200%).
- Experimental and modeling approaches were employed to analyze drop behavior.
Main Results:
- The ductility of liquid drops was found to depend on the pattern's height-to-spacing ratio and the intrinsic contact angle.
- The change in drop size was successfully used to measure applied strain and liquid viscosity.
- A high strain sensitivity of 1068 μm²/ % was achieved.
Conclusions:
- Laser-etched, stretchable graphene-polymer composites offer a novel approach for smart coatings.
- These materials demonstrate potential for applications in DNA microarrays, biological assays, and soft robotics.
