Cellular Graphene: Fabrication, Mechanical Properties, and Strain-Sensing Applications

Summary We provide a review of cellular graphene (CG), from its fabrication, to characterization of mechanical properties, to applications in strain and pressure sensing. Although several recent reviews have briefly surveyed various types of strain and pressure sensors fabricated from common one-dimensional or two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials such as carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene, and metallic nanowire/nanoparticle, the emerging applications of CG in the design and development of strain and pressure sensors, as well as the structure-property-function correlations in sensing performance, have not been systematically covered. CG exhibits unique strain-sensing capabilities that collectively enable a wide range of strain sensing to be achieved. We first review several state-of-the-art approaches for fabricating CG with emphasis on the engineering of tailored mechanical properties. Second, the strain- and pressure-sensing performance of CG-based devices against a range of fabrication processes is systematically and critically analyzed. Along the way, representative applications of such CG-based sensors are thoroughly discussed. This review aims to provide basic information for the design of novel CG as well as other classes of three-dimensional porous structures fabricated from various 2D nanomaterials. In the conclusion, we highlight the extension of design principles to other 2D materials and critically summarize the key issues that need to be addressed in the future.