Waterproof Graphene-PVDF Wearable Strain Sensors for Movement Detection in Smart Gloves

Abstract

In this work, new highly sensitive graphene-based flexible strain sensors are produced. In particular, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposite films filled with different amounts of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) are produced and their application as wearable sensors for strain and movement detection is assessed. The produced nanocomposite films are morphologically characterized and their waterproofness, electrical and mechanical properties are measured. Furthermore, their electromechanical features are investigated, under both stationary and dynamic conditions. In particular, the strain sensors show a consistent and reproducible response to the applied deformation and a Gauge factor around 30 is measured for the 1% wt loaded PVDF/GNP nanocomposite film when a deformation of 1.5% is applied. The produced specimens are then integrated in commercial gloves, in order to realize sensorized gloves able to detect even small proximal interphalangeal joint movements of the index finger.

Keywords

• graphene
• PVDF
• piezoresistive nanocomposites
• strain sensor
• smart glove
• movement detection