Tunable temperature alarm sensors were prepared using multilayer graphene and nitrocellulose (NC) to reliably monitor early high temperature risks. The graphene/NC alarm sensor keeps in a state of electrical insulation, however, turns electrically conductive at high temperatures, such as encountering a flame attack. Its response time is limited to only a few seconds because of a quick chemical reaction of NC. The 90% graphene/NC (wt % ratio 1:9) composite alarm sensor stably remains insulated at an ambient temperature of 200 °C, resulting in a satisfactory responsive temperature (232 °C), instant response time (4.4 s), and sustained working time in the flame below the ignition temperature of most combustibles. Furthermore, the response temperature and time of the alarm sensor can be tuned by graphene/NC ratios to reduce the fire risk of various combustible materials in different fire-prone scenarios and thus has promising applications in both indoor and outdoor environments. The sensor has also proven to work in the form of paint, wallpaper, and other composites due to its superior flame retardancy property, as well as under extreme conditions (i.e., underwater and vacuum).
Keywords: composite materials; fire alarm; graphene; nitrocellulose; temperature sensors; warning response.