Flexible piezoelectric ZnO-paper nanocomposite strain sensor.
The fabrication of a mechanically flexible, piezoelectric nanocomposite material for strain sensing applications is reported. Nanocomposite material consisting of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures embedded in a stable matrix of paper (cellulose fibers) is prepared by a solvothermal method. The applicability of this material as a strain sensor is demonstrated by studying its real-time current response under both static and dynamic mechanical loading. The material presented highlights a novel approach to introduce flexibility into strain sensors by embedding crystalline piezoelectric material in a flexible cellulose-based secondary matrix.
Gullapalli
Hemtej
H
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA.
Vemuru
Venkata S M
VS
Kumar
Ashavani
A
Botello-Mendez
Andres
A
Vajtai
Robert
R
Terrones
Mauricio
M
Nagarajaiah
Satish
S
Ajayan
Pulickel M
PM
D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
D015034:Zinc Oxide