Sensing the future with graphene-based wearable sensors: A review

Abstract

In this current era, the demand for wearable sensors is increasing in full swing due to their multiphase applications, from the human body to soft robotics. Different materials, including carbon nanotubes, nanowires, nanoparticles, graphene, and more, have been studied to develop cost-efficient, enhanced sensing-capable, multifunctional, easy-to-operate, and easy-to-process wearable sensors. It is a suitable choice for the wearable sensor due to its excellent sensing ability along with myriad suitable mechanical, physical, electrical, and thermal properties. Through the proper utilization of these characteristics of graphene, wearable sensors containing graphene and its derivatives are now widely studied in healthcare, environment protection, and artificial intelligence sectors. This review has comprehensively discussed the current progression of multiple types of graphene and its derivative-based wearable sensors. The specific applications of these different types of graphene wearable sensors, including pressure, strain, gas, electrophysiological sensors, etc., in different fields are broadly described. The design, fabrication process, working, and sensing mechanisms are elaborately discussed. The challenges and limitations of graphene-based wearable sensors, along with potential opportunities, are thoroughly described for further research direction to develop, upgrade, and continue the progression of graphene wearable sensors.