Functionalized graphene reinforced thermoplastic nanocomposites as strain sensors in structural health monitoring

Functionalized graphene–polyvinylidene fluoride (f-G–PVDF) nanocomposite films were synthesized using a simple solvent casting technique. The investigation demonstrates the real time strain response of f-G–PVDF nanocomposites on the macro-scale under tensile loads and the use of this nanocomposite as strain sensor. This is ascribed to the variation of electrical properties of graphene–polymer upon mechanical deformation at the nanoscale.