This work demonstrates the application of electrospun single and bundled carbon nanofibers (CNFs) as piezoresistive sensing elements in flexible and ultralightweight sensors. Material, electrical, and nanomechanical characterizations were conducted on the CNFs to understand the effect of the critical synthesis parameter—the pyrolyzation temperature on the morphological, structural, and electrical properties. The mechanism of conductive path change under the influence of external stress was hypothesized to explain the piezoresistive behavior observed in the CNF bundles. Quasi-static tensile strain characterization of the CNF bundle-based flexible strain sensor showed a linear response with an average gauge factor of 11.14 (for tensile strains up to 50%). Furthermore, conductive graphitic domain discontinuity model was invoked to explain the piezoresistivity originating in a single isolated electrospun CNF. Finally, a single piezoresistive CNF was utilized as a sensing element in an NEMS flow sensor to demonstrate air flow sensing in the range of 5–35 m/s.

这项工作演示了静电纺单根碳纤维和成束碳纳米纤维（CNF）在柔性和超轻型传感器中作为压阻传感元件的应用。在CNF上进行了材料，电学和纳米力学表征，以了解关键合成参数（热解温度）对形态，结构和电学性质的影响。假设在外部应力的影响下导电路径改变的机理可以解释在CNF束中观察到的压阻行为。基于CNF束的柔性应变传感器的准静态拉伸应变特性显示出线性响应，平均应变系数为11.14（对于高达50％的拉伸应变）。此外，调用导电石墨畴不连续模型来解释源自单个隔离电纺CNF的压阻率。最后，单个压阻CNF被用作NEMS流量传感器中的传感元件，以演示5–35 m / s范围内的空气流量传感。