Flexible pressure sensor based on graphene aerogel microstructures functionalized with CdS nanocrystalline thin film. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Plesco, Irina; Dragoman, Mircea; Strobel, Julian; Ghimpu, Lidia; Schütt, Fabian; Dinescu, Adrian; Ursaki, Veaceslav; Kienle, Lorenz; Adelung, Rainer; Tiginyanu, Ion
• Is Part Of: Superlattices and microstructures. Volume 117(2018)
• Page Start: 418
• Page End: 422
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Graphene aerogels -- CdS -- Nanocrystalline thin films -- Pressure sensors -- Magnetron sputtering; Superlattices as materials -- Periodicals; Microstructure -- Periodicals; Semiconductors -- Periodicals; Superréseaux -- Périodiques; Microstructure (Physique) -- Périodiques; Semiconducteurs -- Périodiques; 621.38152
• DOI: 10.1016/j.spmi.2018.03.064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0749-6036

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, we report on functionalization of graphene aerogel with a CdS thin film deposited by magnetron sputtering and on the development of flexible pressure sensors based on ultra-lightweight CdS-aerogel nanocomposite. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis disclose the uniform deposition of nanocrystalline CdS films with quasi-stoichiometric composition. The piezoresistive response of the aforementioned nanocomposite in the pressure range from 1 to 5 atm is found to be more than one order of magnitude higher than that inherent to suspended graphene membranes, leading to an average sensitivity as high as 3.2 × 10 −4 kPa −1 . Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Technology for the functionalization of graphene aerogel with a CdS thin film has been developed. An ultra-lightweight flexible CdS-graphene aerogel nanocomposite was produced. Crystallinity of the graphene and CdS components of nano/microstructures is demonstrated. The piezoresistive response of the nanocomposite is more than ten times higher than that of graphene membranes. A pressure sensor with sensitivity as high as 3.2 × 10 −4 kPa −1 in the pressure range from 1 to 5 atm has been developed.