Lightweight biocompatible physical sensors: Polymeric films “self-metallized” with organic molecular conductors

This paper reports a simple single-stage “metallization” process of polycarbonate films with highly strain resistive organic molecular conductors. The electro-mechanical studies showed that these metallized films that are termed bi-layer (BL) films hold the great interest for sensor engineering because important material properties, such as high conductivity, strain (pressure) sensitivity, excellent elasticity and biocompatibility, go together. Atomic force microscopy nano-indentation indicated that Young's modulus (E) of polycrystalline layer of organic molecular conductors and polycarbonate films are of the same scale that imparts a good robustness and elasticity to BL films-based sensors. This type of “self-metallized” plastics may find a number of applications usually reserved for flexible, lightweight, strain and pressure sensors.