Abstract

In this research, we present the development of 3D printed, highly stretchable and sensitive strain sensors using Graphene based composites. Graphene, a 2D material with unique electrical and piezoresistive properties, has already been used to create highly sensitive strain sensors. In this new study, by co-printing Graphene based Polylactic acid (PLA) with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a highly stretchable and sensitive strain sensor based on Graphene composites can be 3D printed for the first time in strain sensors. The fabrication process of all materials is fully compatible with fused deposition modeling (FDM) based 3D printing method, which makes it possible to rapidly prototype and manufacture highly stretchable and sensitive strain sensors. The mechanical properties, electrical properties, sensitivity of the 3D printed sensors will be presented.

Highlights

  • Sensitive and stretchable sensors have wide potential applications in soft robotics, flexible/wearable electronics and prosthetics [1,2]

  • Thermoplastic polyurenthene (TPU) is stretchable and printable material, but has an inherent negative strain effect due to the poison ratio effect, which limits the sensitivity of any stretchable sensors [5,6]

  • We here proposed to develop a Graphene based Polylactic acid (PLA) with thermoplastic polyurenthene (TPU) successfully compounded by melt processing and simultaneously 3D co-printed, for the creation of highly stretchable and sensitive strain sensors

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Summary

Introduction

Sensitive and stretchable sensors have wide potential applications in soft robotics, flexible/wearable electronics and prosthetics [1,2]. 3D printable Graphene filaments, though very sensitive, have poor mechanical properties and are very limited in its stretchability or elasticity [3,4]. PLA has strong bonding with Graphene and ease of 3D printability, ; its rigidity limits the stretchability [4]. Thermoplastic polyurenthene (TPU) is stretchable and printable material, but has an inherent negative strain effect due to the poison ratio effect, which limits the sensitivity of any stretchable sensors [5,6]. We here proposed to develop a Graphene based PLA with TPU successfully compounded by melt processing and simultaneously 3D co-printed, for the creation of highly stretchable and sensitive strain sensors. The co-printing of Graphene/PLA/TPU significantly enhanced the stretchability, while keeping the sensitivity of a typical Graphene based strain sensors

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