Graphene-filled PDMS Composite for Tactile Sensing of Surgical Graspers

Abstract

For tactile sensors to become useful technology, the required features should be flexibility, durability, and its sensitivity to physical contact. Conductive elastomer nanocomposites are widely used in fabricating a variety of electronic devices due to their excellent dispersion of the conductive nanomaterials. One such example is graphene in an elastomer matrix. In this study, we fabricated the transparent, flexible, and conductive force-responsive films from reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-filled polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer composite. We used a simple yet unique way of mixing solution for composite preparation, which will enable an improved dispersion of filler in the matrix. Various characterization techniques were employed (i.e. SEM, FESEM, TEM, AFM XRD, UV visible spectroscopy, Raman studies, and impedance studies) to study the properties associated with the prepared thin film. The rGO was found to be well-dispersed in PDMS and it was found to behave appropriately as the sensing element during the capacitive force responsive mechanism in a metallic tip of surgical grasper. We anticipate that this kind of composites can find suitable applications for tactile sensing of surgical graspers.