Properties of Stretchable and Flexible Strain Sensor Based on Silver/PDMS Nanocomposites

Abstract

Stretchable and flexible strain sensors have attracted considerable attention due to their potential applications in wearable electronics. A flexible base is an important part of flexible electronics because it provides flexible support and it functions to transfer and process mechanical and electrical signals. In this study, stretchable strain sensor is fabricated by silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) filled polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Amount of AgNPs in PDMS was varied at 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 wt% and are labeled as Sensor 1 to 5, respectively. The performance of the stretchable sensor was observed using current-voltage characteristics and strain sensing ability. The morphology of the sensor was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope. The tensile strain of Sensor 1 is 110% with the gauge factor (GF) value of 268.4 and Sensor 5 with tensile strain of 130% and GF value of 109.4. The strain sensors with high GF obtained in this work conformed to the development of flexible electronic.