Flexible Pressure Sensor Based on Carbon Black/PVDF Nanocomposite

Abstract

A piezoresistive flexible pressure sensor was fabricated using carbon black and Poly (vinylidene fluoride) (CB/PVDF) composite. The conductive CB/PVDF composite was prepared by a wet-cast method and deposited onto a flexible polyethylene (PE) substrate. The surface morphology, crystal structure, and material properties were studied using SEM and X-ray diffraction methods. This flexible pressure sensor was tested in a wide pressure range of about 0 - 76 kPa, and its response time was less than 0.43 s. The sensitivity, response time, and recovery time were studied for different pressures and vibration modes. The repeatability and reproducibility characteristics of the sensors were studied, and it was found that the sensors exhibited excellent characteristics. The sensor was subjected to different loading and unloading pressures, and the resistance of the sensor remained stable, indicating that the sensor had a high degree of reproducibility. Owing to its flexible properties and the materials used, the proposed device can be applied in the next generation of smart sensors for biomedical, robotic, and automotive sensing applications.