Smart Solutions for Structural Health Monitoring: Wireless Paper Based Sensor for Reliable Temperature Monitoring in Polymer Composites
Topic(s) : Multifunctional and smart composites
Co-authors :
Mohammed KHALIFA (AUSTRIA), Herfried LAMMER , Günter WUZELLAAbstract :
Temperature variations in the polymer composite structures may significantly affect the physical and chemical properties. Hence, monitoring of temperature is critical and ensures that the polymer composite remains within the optimal operating range to maintain its structural integrity and offer better performance. There are several methods adopted to monitor the temperature of the composite structures. Among them, the integration of smart devices has attracted significant attention due to their robust, lightweight, facile processing and low-cost approach. However, integrated sensors often lose their sensitivity and disturb the mechanical integrity of the composite structure by affecting the reinforcement effect and interfacial bonding arrangement. Hence, a reliable, high sensitivity and selectivity with reinforcing properties, which can be integrated into the structure is the need of the hour for monitoring of composite.
With the above motivation, we have developed a wireless paper-based sensor for real-time temperature monitoring in the composite structures. The paper was coated with smart polymer nanostructure through a coating process and encapsulated with moisture-resistant coating. The temperature sensor showed excellent response upon dynamic cyclic temperature change. The sensor offers excellent sensitivity and selectivity with a maximum working temperature of up to 120 °C. The coefficient of temperature resistance and sensitivity of the sensor was 1.9 × 10-3K-1 and 0.99 °C-1, respectively. Furthermore, the moisture-resistant coating on the sensor surface demonstrated excellent selectivity for temperature. The sensor was embedded in the composite through various processing methods to prove the versatility and sustainable capability of the sensor. The sensor was able to provide real-time temperature data of the interiors of composite structures. Moreover, the wireless temperature sensing obtained from the paper sensor performed stable real-time health monitoring of the composite. Such potential and comprehensive development will undoubtedly promote the application of the temperature sensor in structural health monitoring of polymer composite structures.
With the above motivation, we have developed a wireless paper-based sensor for real-time temperature monitoring in the composite structures. The paper was coated with smart polymer nanostructure through a coating process and encapsulated with moisture-resistant coating. The temperature sensor showed excellent response upon dynamic cyclic temperature change. The sensor offers excellent sensitivity and selectivity with a maximum working temperature of up to 120 °C. The coefficient of temperature resistance and sensitivity of the sensor was 1.9 × 10-3K-1 and 0.99 °C-1, respectively. Furthermore, the moisture-resistant coating on the sensor surface demonstrated excellent selectivity for temperature. The sensor was embedded in the composite through various processing methods to prove the versatility and sustainable capability of the sensor. The sensor was able to provide real-time temperature data of the interiors of composite structures. Moreover, the wireless temperature sensing obtained from the paper sensor performed stable real-time health monitoring of the composite. Such potential and comprehensive development will undoubtedly promote the application of the temperature sensor in structural health monitoring of polymer composite structures.