Laser-induced graphene for sensing applications

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is a promising material for sensing applications owing to its notable electrical properties, ease of preparation, cost-effectiveness, porous architecture, and scalable laser fabrication. This talk will present two environmental-sensing applications we have developed using LIG.

Lithium detection has become increasingly important for environmental monitoring, resource extraction and recycling processes, and lithium-based therapies, among other applications. We developed an electrochemical sensor that combines LIG with manganese oxides to detect lithium ions. Manganese oxides contribute favorable ion-selective and catalytic properties owing to their variable oxidation states and versatile crystalline topologies. We compared two types of manganese oxide electrodes: one fabricated by in situ conversion of manganese chloride during LIG synthesis using a laser, and the other with pre-synthesized manganese oxide particles incorporated into the LIG precursor. This talk will discuss the performance of these electrodes. The second application utilizes LIG's capacitive properties to detect and quantify particulate matter (PM), especially black carbon (BC), in the air. BC, a constituent of PM_2.5, is linked to early death in humans and can accelerate short-term warming. To develop a portable BC sensor that enables real-time, rapid detection, we integrated laser-assisted manufacturing with industrial design, resulting in a versatile, compact sensor module. This talk will discuss the fabrication method, design, and sensor performance.

Through these two applications, this talk will highlight the versatility of LIG and offer a promising route to the development of high-performance, cost-effective sensors.