title: Graphene-polymer coating for the realization of strain sensors.
abstract: In this work we present a novel route to produce a graphene-based film on a polymer substrate. A transparent graphite colloidal suspension was applied to a slat of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The good adhesion to the PMMA surface, combined with the shear stress, allows a uniform and continuous spreading of the graphite nanocrystals, resulting in a very uniform graphene multilayer coating on the substrate surface. The fabrication process is simple and yields thin coatings characterized by high optical transparency and large electrical piezoresitivity. Such properties envisage potential applications of this polymer-supported coating for use in strain sensing. The electrical and mechanical properties of these PMMA/graphene coatings were characterized by bending tests. The electrical transport was investigated as a function of the applied stress. The structural and strain properties of the polymer composite material were studied under stress by infrared thermography and micro-Raman spectroscopy.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Fisiche, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80134 Napoli, Italy; INFN - Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, sezione di Napoli, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonavolontà
authors.affiliation: INFN - Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, sezione di Napoli, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aramo
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Fisiche, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80134 Napoli, Italy; CNR-SPIN Institute for Superconductors, Oxides and other Innovative materials and Devices, Via Cintia, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valentino
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Fisiche, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80134 Napoli, Italy; CNR-SPIN Institute for Superconductors, Oxides and other Innovative materials and Devices, Via Cintia, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pepe
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Scienze Fisiche, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cintia, 80134 Napoli, Italy; CNR-SPIN Institute for Superconductors, Oxides and other Innovative materials and Devices, Via Cintia, 80134 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Nicola
authors.affiliation: CNR-IPCB, Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, Viale Kennedy, 54 - Mostra d'Oltremare Pad. 20, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carotenuto
authors.affiliation: CNR-IPCB, Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, Viale Kennedy, 54 - Mostra d'Oltremare Pad. 20, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.affiliation: CNR-IPCB, Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, Viale Kennedy, 54 - Mostra d'Oltremare Pad. 20, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palomba
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boccardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: Carosena
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meola
keywords: IR thermography; graphene; graphite; micro-Raman spectroscopy; strain sensor