Conductivity-Dependent Strain Response of Carbon Nanotube Treated Bacterial Nanocellulose

S Farjana,F Toomadj,O Naboka,P Lundgren,P Enoksson,A Sanz-Velasco

doi:10.1155/2013/741248

Abstract

This paper reports the strain sensitivity of flexible, electrically conductive, and nanostructured cellulose which was prepared by modification of bacterial cellulose with double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The electrical conductivity depends on the modifying agent and its dispersion process. The conductivity of the samples obtained from bacterial cellulose (BNC) pellicles modified with DWCNT was in the range from 0.034 S·cm−1to 0.39 S·cm−1, and for BNC pellicles modified with MWCNTs it was from 0.12 S·cm−1to 1.6 S·cm−1. The strain-induced electromechanical response, resistance versus strain, was monitored during the application of tensile force in order to study the sensitivity of the modified nanocellulose. A maximum gauge factor of 252 was found from the highest conductive sample treated by MWCNT. It has been observed that the sensitivity of the sample depends on the conductivity of the modified cellulose.

Highlights

Sensors based on nanostructured material have attracted considerable attention due to their low power consumption, high sensitivity and selectivity, and prompt response [1, 2]
We present a exible electrically conductive nanocomposite based on bacterial Journal of Sensors nanocellulose (BNC) cellulose and carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
An insulating layer of plastic was put between the clamp and the aluminum foil. e resistance of the sample has been measured along the same direction as the applied force. e experimental setup for tensile test is shown in Figure 2. e samples were placed in the Instron machine, and the load was increased to the desired level and held there for at least two hours at room temperature and humidity

Summary

Introduction

Sensors based on nanostructured material have attracted considerable attention due to their low power consumption, high sensitivity and selectivity, and prompt response [1, 2]. Conventional sensors are restricted in their application area by their rigidity and fragility For this reason, development of sensor materials which are exible and environmentally friendly has received a great deal of attention [3]. Journal of Sensors nanocellulose (BNC) has gained attention due to some exclusive properties which are not offered by plant cellulose. BNC consists of highly crystalline nano bril which leads to higher mechanical strength compared to plant cellulose [10]. We present a exible electrically conductive nanocomposite based on BNC cellulose and CNT. Different dispersed CNT solutions with different volumes and concentrations have been used to modify the cellulose in order to nd optimum conditions for making appropriate BNC lms. e strain-oriented electromechanical properties of DWCNT and MWCNT treated cellulose have been measured and characterized

Experimental

Results and Discussion

Conclusion