A novel dual-parameter proximity and touch sensor using SiO2 nanoparticles and NaCl with commercial acrylic-based encapsulation

This study shows the development and analysis of a novel capacity proximity sensor (CPS) based on a sensing layer made up of a mixture of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2) and sodium chloride (NaCl), and an encapsulation layer based on a commercial acrylic-based varnish. The encapsulated and non-...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Michelle Cedeño Mata, Ana Coloma Velez, Ramon Bragos, Manuel Dominguez-Pumar, Sandra Bermejo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-06-01
Series:Micro and Nano Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590007224000054
_version_ 1797208770734981120
author Michelle Cedeño Mata
Ana Coloma Velez
Ramon Bragos
Manuel Dominguez-Pumar
Sandra Bermejo
author_facet Michelle Cedeño Mata
Ana Coloma Velez
Ramon Bragos
Manuel Dominguez-Pumar
Sandra Bermejo
author_sort Michelle Cedeño Mata
collection DOAJ
description This study shows the development and analysis of a novel capacity proximity sensor (CPS) based on a sensing layer made up of a mixture of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2) and sodium chloride (NaCl), and an encapsulation layer based on a commercial acrylic-based varnish. The encapsulated and non-encapsulated proximity sensors were characterised using impedance spectroscopy (IS), revealing that the resulting impedimetric and capacitance responses exhibit different sensitivities and working sensing ranges. The non-encapsulated sensor presents impedimetric and maximum capacitive sensitivities of 0.0775 cm−1 and -0.9831 cm−1, respectively, within a 2–14 cm sensing range. In contrast, the encapsulated CPS shows maximum impedimetric and capacitive sensitivities of 0.3447 cm−1 and −3.349 cm−1, respectively, and an operation sensing range of 0–3 cm. The results show a 75% decrease in the total sensing range that could be attributed to: (i) a reduction of the effective sensing area due to a reduction of the roughness as demonstrated by SEM analysis, (ii) insulation effects limiting the impact of the material under test (MUT) on the charge carriers distribution, and (iii) decreased charge carrier density involved in the sensing process. Despite the reduced operational range, the encapsulation layer maintains the dual-parameter sensing capabilities, preserves the integrity of the sensing layer, and enables its dual functionality as a proximity and touch sensor. The reported comparison between the encapsulated and non-encapsulated CPSs highlights the effects of the encapsulation layer. The encapsulated version introduces a simple, fast, and cost-effective novel approach for developing CPSs that outperforms some reported CPSs in terms of reliability due to its dual-parameter sensing capability and sensitivity.
first_indexed 2024-04-24T09:44:05Z
format Article
id doaj.art-2ad78268138f4d859553c9f8aa88b55c
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2590-0072
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-24T09:44:05Z
publishDate 2024-06-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Micro and Nano Engineering
spelling doaj.art-2ad78268138f4d859553c9f8aa88b55c2024-04-15T04:05:43ZengElsevierMicro and Nano Engineering2590-00722024-06-0123100242A novel dual-parameter proximity and touch sensor using SiO2 nanoparticles and NaCl with commercial acrylic-based encapsulationMichelle Cedeño Mata0Ana Coloma Velez1Ramon Bragos2Manuel Dominguez-Pumar3Sandra Bermejo4Corresponding authors.; Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Electronic Engineering Department, C/Jordi Girona 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, SpainPolytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Electronic Engineering Department, C/Jordi Girona 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, SpainPolytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Electronic Engineering Department, C/Jordi Girona 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, SpainPolytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Electronic Engineering Department, C/Jordi Girona 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, SpainCorresponding authors.; Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Electronic Engineering Department, C/Jordi Girona 1-3, 08034 Barcelona, SpainThis study shows the development and analysis of a novel capacity proximity sensor (CPS) based on a sensing layer made up of a mixture of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2) and sodium chloride (NaCl), and an encapsulation layer based on a commercial acrylic-based varnish. The encapsulated and non-encapsulated proximity sensors were characterised using impedance spectroscopy (IS), revealing that the resulting impedimetric and capacitance responses exhibit different sensitivities and working sensing ranges. The non-encapsulated sensor presents impedimetric and maximum capacitive sensitivities of 0.0775 cm−1 and -0.9831 cm−1, respectively, within a 2–14 cm sensing range. In contrast, the encapsulated CPS shows maximum impedimetric and capacitive sensitivities of 0.3447 cm−1 and −3.349 cm−1, respectively, and an operation sensing range of 0–3 cm. The results show a 75% decrease in the total sensing range that could be attributed to: (i) a reduction of the effective sensing area due to a reduction of the roughness as demonstrated by SEM analysis, (ii) insulation effects limiting the impact of the material under test (MUT) on the charge carriers distribution, and (iii) decreased charge carrier density involved in the sensing process. Despite the reduced operational range, the encapsulation layer maintains the dual-parameter sensing capabilities, preserves the integrity of the sensing layer, and enables its dual functionality as a proximity and touch sensor. The reported comparison between the encapsulated and non-encapsulated CPSs highlights the effects of the encapsulation layer. The encapsulated version introduces a simple, fast, and cost-effective novel approach for developing CPSs that outperforms some reported CPSs in terms of reliability due to its dual-parameter sensing capability and sensitivity.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590007224000054EncapsulationColloidal nanoparticlesAcrylic varnishImpedance spectroscopyProximity sensor
spellingShingle Michelle Cedeño Mata
Ana Coloma Velez
Ramon Bragos
Manuel Dominguez-Pumar
Sandra Bermejo
A novel dual-parameter proximity and touch sensor using SiO2 nanoparticles and NaCl with commercial acrylic-based encapsulation
Micro and Nano Engineering
Encapsulation
Colloidal nanoparticles
Acrylic varnish
Impedance spectroscopy
Proximity sensor
title A novel dual-parameter proximity and touch sensor using SiO2 nanoparticles and NaCl with commercial acrylic-based encapsulation
title_full A novel dual-parameter proximity and touch sensor using SiO2 nanoparticles and NaCl with commercial acrylic-based encapsulation
title_fullStr A novel dual-parameter proximity and touch sensor using SiO2 nanoparticles and NaCl with commercial acrylic-based encapsulation
title_full_unstemmed A novel dual-parameter proximity and touch sensor using SiO2 nanoparticles and NaCl with commercial acrylic-based encapsulation
title_short A novel dual-parameter proximity and touch sensor using SiO2 nanoparticles and NaCl with commercial acrylic-based encapsulation
title_sort novel dual parameter proximity and touch sensor using sio2 nanoparticles and nacl with commercial acrylic based encapsulation
topic Encapsulation
Colloidal nanoparticles
Acrylic varnish
Impedance spectroscopy
Proximity sensor
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590007224000054
work_keys_str_mv AT michellecedenomata anoveldualparameterproximityandtouchsensorusingsio2nanoparticlesandnaclwithcommercialacrylicbasedencapsulation
AT anacolomavelez anoveldualparameterproximityandtouchsensorusingsio2nanoparticlesandnaclwithcommercialacrylicbasedencapsulation
AT ramonbragos anoveldualparameterproximityandtouchsensorusingsio2nanoparticlesandnaclwithcommercialacrylicbasedencapsulation
AT manueldominguezpumar anoveldualparameterproximityandtouchsensorusingsio2nanoparticlesandnaclwithcommercialacrylicbasedencapsulation
AT sandrabermejo anoveldualparameterproximityandtouchsensorusingsio2nanoparticlesandnaclwithcommercialacrylicbasedencapsulation
AT michellecedenomata noveldualparameterproximityandtouchsensorusingsio2nanoparticlesandnaclwithcommercialacrylicbasedencapsulation
AT anacolomavelez noveldualparameterproximityandtouchsensorusingsio2nanoparticlesandnaclwithcommercialacrylicbasedencapsulation
AT ramonbragos noveldualparameterproximityandtouchsensorusingsio2nanoparticlesandnaclwithcommercialacrylicbasedencapsulation
AT manueldominguezpumar noveldualparameterproximityandtouchsensorusingsio2nanoparticlesandnaclwithcommercialacrylicbasedencapsulation
AT sandrabermejo noveldualparameterproximityandtouchsensorusingsio2nanoparticlesandnaclwithcommercialacrylicbasedencapsulation