Multilayer Graphene Epidermal Electronic Skin

ACS Nano. 2018 Sep 25;12(9):8839-8846. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.8b02162. Epub 2018 Jul 27.

Abstract

Due to its excellent flexibility, graphene has an important application prospect in epidermal electronic sensors. However, there are drawbacks in current devices, such as sensitivity, range, lamination, and artistry. In this work, we have demonstrated a multilayer graphene epidermal electronic skin based on laser scribing graphene, whose patterns are programmable. A process has been developed to remove the unreduced graphene oxide. This method makes the epidermal electronic skin not only transferable to butterflies, human bodies, and any other objects inseparably and elegantly, merely with the assistance of water, but also have better sensitivity and stability. Therefore, pattern electronic skin could attach to every object like artwork. When packed in Ecoflex, electronic skin exhibits excellent performance, including ultrahigh sensitivity (gauge factor up to 673), large strain range (as high as 10%), and long-term stability. Therefore, many subtle physiological signals can be detected based on epidermal electronic skin with a single graphene line. Electronic skin with multiple graphene lines is employed to detect large-range human motion. To provide a deeper understanding of the resistance variation mechanism, a physical model is established to explain the relationship between the crack directions and electrical characteristics. These results show that graphene epidermal electronic skin has huge potential in health care and intelligent systems.

Keywords: GO lift-off; crack simulation; epidermal skin; laser scribed  graphene; programmable pattern.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Lasers
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties
  • Wearable Electronic Devices*

Substances

  • Graphite