RGO-PD Nano-Composite Based Films for Strain Measurement Using Screen Printing Technique

Abstract

In this paper we are reporting, a strain sensor fabricated by screen printing method using a novel Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) and Palladium (Pd) nano-composite on a stainless steel substrate. Pd was chosen due to its higher strain sensitivity compared to other metal composites and screen printing method was adopted because of low cost and easy fabrication. A specified amount of Pd filler was mixed with RGO to enhance its functional and mechanical properties under strain application. As-synthesized nano-composite was characterized by Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for its surface morphology and crystallinity of the composite. The change in electrical resistance of as-fabricated strain sensor was observed when a mechanical strain was applied on it and its strain sensitivity (Gauge factor) was estimated by cantilever bending method. The Gauge factor as high as 15 was observed for as-prepared strain sensor. The presently developed high sensitive strain gauges are useful to measure force, stress/strain, pressure and displacements in the fields of aerospace, civil engineering, automobile and transport.