Abstract
In this work, the influence of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) content on the mechanical and electrical properties of four series of polymeric matrix were made and their cytotoxicity on cells was evaluated to consider their use as a possible artificial muscle. For that, polymer composite yarns were electrospun using polymeric solutions at 10 wt.%. of poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) P(S:AN) and P(S:AN-acrylic acid) P(S:AN-AA) at several monomeric concentrations, namely 0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 50:50 (wt.%:wt.%), and 1 wt.% of AA. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were added to the polymeric solutions at two concentrations, 0.5 and 1.0 wt.%. PMCs yarns were collected using a blade collector. Mechanical and electrical properties of polymeric yarns indicated a dependence of CNTs content into yarns. Three areas could be found in fibers: CNTs bundles zones, distributed and aligned CNTs zones, and polymer-only zones. PMCs yarns with 0.5 wt.% CNTs concentration were found with a homogenous nanotube dispersion and axial alignment in polymeric yarn, ensuring load transfer on the polymeric matrix to CNTs, increasing the elastic modulus up to 27 MPa, and a maximum electrical current of 1.8 mA due to a good polymer–nanotube interaction.
Highlights
The polymer-matrix composite (PMC) is defined as the combination of two or more materials, where their final physical and chemical properties result in better properties than their individual components [1,2]
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) Baytubes C150 P were obtained from Bayer Materials Science, Leverkusen, Germany
The composite materials were prepared by mechanical dispersion of CNTs in a polymer matrix
Summary
The polymer-matrix composite (PMC) is defined as the combination of two or more materials, where their final physical and chemical properties result in better properties than their individual components [1,2]. It has been shown that the addition of nanofillers in the polymeric matrix affects their physical structures and improves mechanical, electrical, chemical, thermal, biological, and optical properties that can be tailored to certain applications They can be used as a biomimetic actuator that provides elongation or contraction through electrical pulses applied along the composite polymer [12]; for temperature and gas sensing where polymeric functional groups play a transducer role in specific environments [13]; in microelectronic applications due to their good dielectric and heat transfer properties [14]; and for electromagnetic interference shielding because of their good absorption and reflection of radiation for electronic protection [15]. PMCs are used for their durability, low cost, and easy manufacturing methods [16,17]
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