Towards the development of a wearable temperature sensor based on a ferroelectric capacitor

Response of a ferroelectric capacitor to static temperature (~22 to 90°C) is presented. The sensor is based on ferroelectric ceramic lead zirconate titanate (PZT). The PZT sensor is a cheap, commercially available element used to provide a proof of concept for the initial investigation into using ferroelectric materials for the monitoring of static temperature. The capacitor response to temperature was measured using PZT capacitance changes recorded at 1 kHz. The capacitance was measured after the temperature had stabilised. We have found that the PZT capacitor responds linearly as a function of applied temperature, with a sensitivity ~ 53 pF/°C. Furthermore, to provide some initial electronics capable of measuring sensor capacitance in real time, the PZT element was attached to an Arduino Uno platform. Again, the sensor continues to respond linearly to temperature with a sensitivity of 146 pF/°C. The system developed paves the way for further work to be done on using ferroelectric materials for the monitoring of static temperature changes, for applications such as human body temperature measurement using a textile-based smart-shirt setup.