Development of highly sensitive temperature sensor made of graphene monolayers doped P(VDF-TrFE) nanocomposites

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. A. Physical. 2020-09, Vol.312, p.112101, Article 112101
• Main Authors: Mahmoud, Waleed E., Al-Bluwi, Sarah A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical synthesis; Conductivity; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Graphene; Low temperature; Monolayers; Nanocomposites; Positive temperature coefficient; Pyroelectricity; Recovery time; Reproducibility; SEM; Sensors; Temperature; Temperature sensor; Temperature sensors; TG-TDA; Thermal stability; Weight reduction; XRD
• ISSN: 0924-4247; 1873-3069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2020.112101

[Display omitted] •A monolayer graphene sheets have been prepared via sonochemical approach•Graphene/P(VDF-TrFE) nanocomposites were prepared by drop casting technique.•The graphene enhanced the ferroelectricity of the P(VDF-TrFE) and thermal stability.•The nanocomposites exhibited PTCC and high temperature sensitivity.•Low price, light weight and ultra-sensitive flexible temperature sensor is produced. New series of nanocomposites composed of graphene and P(VDF-TrFE) have been developed for the manufacturing of ultrasensitive and flexible temperature sensor for the first time. Monolayer graphene sheets were synthesized via sonochemical approach. This graphene embedded into the P(VDF-TrFE) at various concentrations (0−0.09 wt%). The developed nanocomposites were characterized via SEM, XRD, and FTIR. The P-E hysteresis and pyroelectricity measurements were carried out. The thermal stability was emphasized using TG-TDA measurements. The electrical conductivity was investigated under different temperatures. The activation energy and the positive temperature coefficient of conductivity were determined. The developed nanocomposites were examined as temperature sensor at low temperatures (-20−0 °C) and at high temperatures (0−300 °C). Among all prepared nanocomposites, it was found that the inclusion of 0.05 wt% of graphene in the P(VDF-TrFE) resulted in a highly sensitive temperature sensor along the temperature range from -20 °C to 300 °C with sensitivity of 0.025 °C−1. This sample exhibited fast detection of temperature within 4 s and fast recovery time of 3 s. This nanocomposite exhibited high repeatability, stability and reproducibility. Therefore, the developed nanocomposite may be served as efficient, low price, light weight and ultra-sensitive flexible temperature sensor for daily life use.