Graphene: A two dimensional super material for sensor applications

Abstract

Abstract Sensor technology is the backbone of diverse engineering and biomedical applications that has attracted the attention of academicians and researchers. Design and development of an efficient sensor requires a material that can monitor large structural changes in response to a small applied input with high degree of precision and consistency. Graphene is a unique two-dimensional material with its spectacular structural and electronic properties that has appealed towards the emergence of sensors of new era. This paper presents the state-of-the-art review on scope and development of graphene based strain, gas, magnetic, piezoelectric, photoelectric and biosensors for chemical, mechanical, electrochemical and biomedical applications. A detailed survey of previously published studies has been conducted as a valuable tool for researchers to select the appropriate graphene based material(s) and substrates for further exploration in the field of sensors. Despite the exemplary performance of graphene based sensors, there is a dire need to exploit the high intrinsic mobilities of graphene with improved substrates for diverse applications.