Nearly isotropic piezoresistive response due to charge detour conduction in nanoparticle thin films

Cheng-Wei Jiang; I-Chih Ni; Shien-Der Tzeng; Watson Kuo

doi:10.1038/srep11939

Nearly isotropic piezoresistive response due to charge detour conduction in nanoparticle thin films

Sci Rep. 2015 Jul 15:5:11939. doi: 10.1038/srep11939.

Authors

Cheng-Wei Jiang¹, I-Chih Ni², Shien-Der Tzeng², Watson Kuo³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
² Department of Physics, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 974, Taiwan.
³ 1] Department of Physics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan [2] Institute of NanoScience and Research Center for Sustainable Energy and Nanotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.

Abstract

Piezoresistive responses of nanoparticle thin-film strain sensors on flexible polyimide substrates were studied. Disordered interparticle tunneling introduces microscopic detour of charge conduction so as to reduce gauge factors. The disorder also results in large resistance change when current flows in the direction perpendicular to a unidirectional strain, reducing response anisotropy. For practical usages, stability and endurance of these strain sensors are confirmed with 7 × 10(4) bending cycles. Cracks form in devices under prolonged cyclic bending and slightly reduce gauge factor.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't