Nitrogen-doped Graphene/Natural Rubber and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Modified Nanocomposites: Study on the Electrochemical Properties for the Potential Sensor Response

In this study, a piezoelectric composite was developed based on nitrogen-doped graphene/natural rubber (NGr-NR) and an anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) through a simple sonication method. Taking advantage of the high electrical conductivity and high surface area of NGr, the hybrid network of NGr-NR-SDS nanocomposite showed excellent mechanical properties and enhanced electrochemical behavior. Here, NGr was used as functional filler materials incorporated into NR polymeric matrix. SDS was used with NGr-NR composite to reduce the aggregation and promote the interfacial interaction between NGr-NR which enhanced the stability of sensor. The surface morphology of NGr-NR-SDS was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission emission microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of NGr-NR-SDS showed the highest current response of 17 μA and the lowest Rct value of 1920 Ω demonstrating the excellent electrochemical response. The significance of this result is that the developed nanocomposite shows great potential for flexible piezoelectric devices due to excellent electrochemical response and cyclic stability.