Flexible Film-Based Sensors Structured with a High Piezoresistive Organic Molecular Conductor as an Active Component

This article is addressed to developing flexible all-organic bi layer (BL) film-based sensors being capable of measuring strain as a well-defined electrical signal in a wide range of elongations and temperature. The purpose was achieved by covering polycarbonate films with the polycrystalline layer of a high piezoresistive organic molecular conductor. This type of sensors is able to take the place of conventional metal-based strain and pressure gages in low cost innovative controlling and monitoring technologies. To determine restrictions for sensor applications, we studied the effect of monoaxial strain on the resistance and texture of the sensing layers of BL films. The tests shown that the maximum strain before fracture is about 1%; under relative strain >1% the strain cracking of a sensing conducting organic layer was observed. A simple thermal recuperation of the damaged sensing layer of the BL film-based sensors is also presented.