3D Printed Graphene-Coated Flexible Lattice as Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor

Abstract

Piezoresistive sponges represent a popular design for highly flexible pressure sensors and are typically fabricated using templating methods. In this work, we used stereolithography (SLA) to 3D-print an elastomeric body-centered cubic (BCC) lattice structure with a relative density of 21% and an elastic modulus of 31.5 kPa. The lattice was dip-coated with graphene nanoplatelets to realize a piezoresistive pressure sensor with excellent performance (gauge factor = 3.25, sensitivity = 0.1 kPa-1), high deformability (up to 60 % strain), and repeatability. The novel approach outlined in this work offers greater control over the microstructure and can be used to fabricate sensors with tunable properties.