Highly Efficient 3D-Printed Graphene Strain Sensors Using Fused Deposition Modeling with Filament Deposition Techniques

ABSTRACT

Graphene is a two-dimensional (2D) material known for its exceptional strength and high electrical conductivity, making it an ideal substance for resistive strain sensors. Recently, fused deposition modeling (FDM) in three-dimensional (3D) printing has gained attractiveness as a promising process due to its ability to produce 3D structured strain sensors by layer-by-layer melting and depositing conductive polymer composites. To ensure reliable strain sensors, comprehending how sensor properties change based on strain direction is crucial. In this study, graphene-based sensors with different slicing angles were successfully fabricated using FDM, enabling systematic study of the effect of strain angles on the performance of graphene-based sensors. The alignment of graphene filaments relative to the direction of applied strain was found to impact the gauge factor (GF) and other important sensor parameters. Our results showed that the 45° pattern exhibited higher sensitivity and stability compared to the 180° pattern, while the GF was greater for the 180° pattern. Additionally, we demonstrated high reliability and linearity through 1000 bending tests. The findings of this study will contribute to the growing body of research on FDM-fabricated graphene-based strain sensors.

摘要

石墨烯是一种二维（2D）材料，以其优异的强度和高电导率而闻名，是电阻应变传感器的理想材料. 最近，三维（3D）打印中的熔融沉积建模（FDM）由于其能够通过逐层熔融和沉积导电聚合物复合材料来生产3D结构应变传感器，因此作为一种有前途的工艺而备受关注. 为了确保可靠的应变传感器，了解传感器特性如何根据应变方向变化至关重要. 在这项研究中，使用FDM成功地制备了具有不同切片角度的石墨烯基传感器，从而能够系统研究应变角对石墨烯基传感性能的影响. 发现石墨烯细丝相对于施加应变方向的排列会影响规范因子（GF）和其他重要的传感器参数. 我们的结果表明，与180°模式相比，45°模式表现出更高的灵敏度和稳定性，而180°模式的GF更高. 此外，我们通过1000次弯曲试验证明了高可靠性和线性. 这项研究的发现将有助于FDM制造的石墨烯基应变传感器的研究.

KEYWORDS:

• Graphene
• filament deposition
• electrode
• strain sensor
• wearables

关键词:

• 石墨烯
• 细丝沉积
• 电极
• 应变传感器
• 可穿戴设备

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) (No. NRF-2021R1A2C1011248). This research was supported by the Chung-Ang University Graduate Research Scholarship in 2022.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Highlights

• A highly efficient strain sensor was fabricated using FDM-based 3D printing of graphene filaments.

• Two different printing methods designed with parallel axial (180°) and diagonal (45°) filaments were compared.

• The 3D-printed strain sensor was used for pressure measurement and showed promising results for wearable applications.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea [2021R1A2C1011248]. This research was supported by the Chung-Ang University Graduate Research Scholarship in 2022.