Stretchable and Skin-Mountable Temperature Sensor Array Using Reduction-Controlled Graphene Oxide for Dermatological Thermography

Nano Lett. 2023 Jun 14;23(11):5391-5398. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c04752. Epub 2023 Mar 27.

Abstract

Since thermometry of human skin is critical information that provides important aspects of human health and physiology, accurate and continuous temperature measurement is required for the observation of physical abnormalities. However, conventional thermometers are uncomfortable because of their bulky and heavy features. In this work, we fabricated a thin, stretchable array-type temperature sensor using graphene-based materials. Furthermore, we controlled the degree of graphene oxide reduction and enhanced the temperature sensitivity. The sensor exhibited an excellent sensitivity of 2.085% °C-1. The overall device was designed in a wavy meander shape to provide stretchability for the device so that precise detection of skin temperature could be performed. Furthermore, polyimide film was coated to secure the chemical and mechanical stabilities of the device. The array-type sensor enabled spatial heat mapping with high resolution. Finally, we introduced some practical applications of skin temperature sensing, suggesting the possibility of skin thermography and healthcare monitoring.

Keywords: flexible device; graphene-based materials; temperature sensor; thermography.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Graphite*
  • Humans
  • Skin Temperature*
  • Temperature
  • Thermography

Substances

  • graphene oxide
  • Graphite