학술논문

Design and Batch Fabrication of Stretchable Bifunctional Sensor Using Polyaniline and ZnO Nanostructures for Tensile and UV Sensing
Document Type
Periodical
Source
IEEE Sensors Journal IEEE Sensors J. Sensors Journal, IEEE. 24(12):19791-19800 Jun, 2024
Subject
Signal Processing and Analysis
Communication, Networking and Broadcast Technologies
Components, Circuits, Devices and Systems
Robotics and Control Systems
Sensors
Zinc oxide
II-VI semiconductor materials
Substrates
Electrodes
Fabrication
Gold
Batch fabrication
bifunctional sensor
polyaniline (PANI)
strain
ultraviolet (UV)
zinc oxide (ZnO)
Language
ISSN
1530-437X
1558-1748
2379-9153
Abstract
The rapid advancement of wearable devices has increased interest in electronic skin ( $e$ -skin) equipped multifunctional sensors. Consequently, research is underway to develop stretchable sensors capable of detecting multiple external stimuli. These sensors often employ various 1-D nanomaterials to enhance their sensing performance. This article introduces a novel structure and batch fabrication process for a stretchable bifunctional sensor. This sensor is composed of polyaniline nanofibers (PANI NFs) and zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs), arranged in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). We used three Au electrodes to help measure the electrical properties of the detectors. The substrate of the stretchable bifunctional sensor was crafted from a single substrate, which comprises two types of PDMS. This design aims to achieve a Young modulus similar to human skin while protecting the Au electrodes and ZnO NRs from deformation. We also introduce a novel batch fabrication process that sequentially synthesizes PANI NFs and ZnO NRs. Unlike previous studies that used stacked structures or nanorod composites, our approach allows these nanomaterials to retain their individual sensor properties, thereby ensuring enhanced conductivity and sensitivity. As a result, the PANI NFs showed clear and repeatable sensing properties and high strain sensitivity with gauge factors exceeding 63 under 30% strain. In addition, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of ZnO NRs reached 79.6% at 340-nm wavelength with an on–off current ratio of 25.3. Overall, the proposed stretchable bifunctional sensor demonstrates the potential for various applications, including $e$ -skin, wearable devices, healthcare, and robotics.