Fabrication of a cost-effective piezoresistive pressure sensor based on PVC/reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) composite

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Research Laboratory for Electrochemical Instrumentation and Energy Systems, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

A cost-effective piezoresistive sensor based on PVC/reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) was fabricated and its performance was investigated. The weight percent range from 0.1 to 30% of rGO in PVC matrix was studied. Composite parts were prepared by using the solution casting method from Tetra-Hydro-Furane (THF) solvent followed by solvent evaporation. The plot of electrical conduction versus rGO percentage was constructed to obtain the percolation threshold concentration. It was found that the percolation threshold of rGO leading to a continuous stable electrical conductivity in PVC matrix is about 25% beyond which electrical resistance was reduced from about 800 GΩ to lower than 100 KΩ range. The relative changes in electrical resistance of prepared polymer parts as a result of impact (stress), stretch and bending deformation were studied. The results showed that the fabricated composite can be used for sensing and/or monitoring and measurement of any mechanical displacement with high sensitivity, promising reproducibility and satisfactory durability. It must be mentioned that, during impact tests of polymer composites, a small piezoelectric effect was also observed for which further complimentary studies are being planned to be performed in near future in order to better understand this effect and its underlining molecular basis.

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Main Subjects


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Volume 32, Issue 9
Transactions on Chemical and Geoenergy Engineering
May and June 2025 Article ID:7870
  • Receive Date: 25 June 2023
  • Revise Date: 02 October 2023
  • Accept Date: 15 October 2023