Wearable temperature sensor based on graphene nanowalls

Abstract

We demonstrate an ultrasensitive wearable temperature sensor prepared using an emerging material, graphene nanowalls (GNWs), and its ease of combination with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Fabrication of the sensor allows for a polymer-assisted transfer method making it considerably facile, biocompatible and cost effective. The resultant device exhibits a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) as high as 0.214 °C⁻¹, which is three fold higher than that of conventional counterparts. We attribute this to the excellent stretchability and thermal sensitivity of GNWs together with the large expansion coefficient of PDMS. Moreover, the sensor is capable of monitoring body temperature in real time, and it presents a quite fast response/recovery speed as well as long term stability. Such wearable temperature sensors could constitute a significant step towards integration with the next frontier in personalized healthcare and human–machine interface systems.