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Freestanding BaTiO3-Au Vertically Aligned Nanocomposite: Toward a Flexible Multi-sensing Platform

Sep 16, 2025
Schematic illustration on the multi-sensing platform by freestanding vertically aligned nanocomposite and demonstration on multifunctional sensor.
Schematic illustration on the multi-sensing platform by freestanding vertically aligned nanocomposite and demonstration on multifunctional sensor.

This work demonstrates a flexible and multifunctional sensor platform based on freestanding BaTiO₃–Au vertically aligned nanocomposite (VAN) thin films. Using a water-soluble Sr₃Al₂O₆ buffer, high-quality VAN films were transferred onto PDMS substrates, overcoming the rigidity of traditional oxide devices and enabling lightweight, flexible integration.

  • A water-based transfer route successfully released BaTiO₃–Au VAN thin films onto flexible substrates. Au nanopillars embedded in a BaTiO₃ matrix provide coupled piezoelectric and plasmonic functionalities.

  • The freestanding films showed excellent flexibility and recoverability under bending, with stable piezoelectric outputs for pressure sensing.

  • Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was demonstrated by detecting 4-mercaptobenzoic acid, confirming strong plasmonic enhancement.

  • This multifunctional thin film platform integrates mechanical and chemical sensing in one material system, paving the way for miniaturized, low-power, and wearable multi-sensing devices

Authors

Haiyan Wang (Purdue University)

Additional Materials

U.S. National Science Foundation and NSF DMREF, Materials for Our Future

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation Award No. 2015237. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation. This site is maintained collaboratively by principal investigators with NSF DMREF awards, independent of the NSF.