A Flexible Graphene-Polydimethylsiloxane Nanocomposite Force Sensor with Linear Response Across a Wide Pressure Detection Range

Abstract

As a flexible force sensor operating in the pressure range covering the entire general human pressure detection range, we developed a piezoresistive nanocomposite using graphene flakes as the conducting filler with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the polymer matrix. The homogeneous dispersion of graphene flakes allows their uniform distribution in the PDMS matrix with a low percolation threshold owing to their geometrically high aspect ratio, thus resulting in a linear piezoresistive response across a wide pressure detection range (100 Pa-1,020 kPa), when static forces are externally applied. Furthermore, the sensor shows sensitive piezoresistive responses to dynamically applied forces. Based on the characteristics demonstrated and described in this study, graphene-PDMS nanocomposites can be considered promising materials for flexible force sensors capable of describing human pressure perception ability.