Cost-Effective Piezoresistive-Based Sensor for Evaluating Thin Polymeric Membranes on Au Metallic Surfaces

A customized 3D printed device is presented to measure the bonding strength between thin metallic layers and polymeric membranes. The approach uses a piezoresistive sensor and two different rapid prototyping techniques. The device measures PDMS’s bonding strength on Au through the applied force and deflection of the elastomeric membrane. In addition, the device is demonstrated to investigate and assess functionalized metallic surfaces using MTPMS and 11-MUA as a potential strategy to enhance the polymer-metal bonding strength. Our approach shows an improved bonding strength and reproducibility via MPTMS functionalization compared to 11-MUA and non-functionalized substrates. The device’s cost-effectiveness makes it ideal for use in resource-limited settings, and its design allows for easy adaptation to measure various types of thin membrane materials across a wide range of applications.