Abstract
In this paper, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites with piezoresistive sensing function were fabricated using microwave irradiation. The effects of precuring time on the mechanical and electrical properties of nanocomposites were investigated. The increased viscosity and possible nanofiller re-agglomeration during the precuring process caused decreased microwave absorption, resulting in extended curing times, and decreased porosity and electrical conductivity in the cured nanocomposites. The porosity generated during the microwave-curing process was investigated with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and density measurements. Increased loadings of MWCNTs resulted in shortened curing times and an increased number of small well-dispersed closed-cell pores. The mechanical properties of the synthesized nanocomposites including stress–strain behaviors and Young’s Modulus were examined. Experimental results demonstrated that the synthesized nanocomposites with 2.5 wt. % MWCNTs achieved the highest piezoresistive sensitivity with an average gauge factor of 7.9 at 10% applied strain. The piezoresistive responses of these nanocomposites were characterized under compressive loads at various maximum strains, loading rates, and under viscoelastic stress relaxation conditions. The 2.5 wt. % nanocomposite was successfully used in an application as a skin-attachable compression sensor for human motion detection including squeezing a golf ball.
Highlights
The development of multi-functional porous nanocomposites capable of large deformation and force sensing with high sensitivity, good reliability, and biocompatibility are of considerable interest in wearable and flexible electronics
We showed that the electrical conductivity of PDMS nanocomposites containing dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) could be enhanced up to 142.8% by microwave-curing the nanocomposite with optimal commercial microwave settings [37]
Rheology tests were performed on the nanocomposite prepolymer to determine the reinforcement effects of MWCNT loadings between 1.0 wt. % and 2.5 wt. %
Summary
The development of multi-functional porous nanocomposites capable of large deformation and force sensing with high sensitivity, good reliability, and biocompatibility are of considerable interest in wearable and flexible electronics. A wide variety of innovative manufacturing methods have been developed to improve properties and functionality of nanocomposites, and to increase fabrication efficiency Advanced manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing [7,26,27] and microwave irradiation [28,29,30], have been used to fabricate MWCNT-based nanocomposites with complex geometries and controlled microstructures to improve the versatility and efficiency of the manufacturing process. Advanced manufacturing techniques have been developed to fabricate porous PDMS structures to enhance the piezoresistive function of the nanocomposite, including sugar templating, a process that uses a sugar cube as a sacrificial porogen Effective, this method is time-consuming, difficult to scale-up, and complicated. Istohlvaesnbteeevnarpeoproarttieodn.inItthhaeslibteereanturerepothratetddiienlethcterilcitleorsastufarcetothraatnddiecloencstreiqculoensstlfyamctoicrroanwdavceonasbesqourpetnitolny omfitchreorwmaovseetasbdseocrrpetaisoendoufetthoeprmarotisaeltcsudriencgre[a3s6e]. dTuheistpohpenarotmiaelncounriwngas[i3n6v].esTtihgiastepdheinnothmisenstoundywbays pinrevceusrtiignagtethdeinnatnhoiscosmtupdoysibtey pprreepcoulryimngerthbeefnoarne omcoicmropwoasvitee-cpurreipnoglytomeexrpbloerfeortehemeiffceroctws aovnet-hcue rciunrgintgo pexropcleosrse, pthoreoseiftfye,catnsdoenlectthreicaclucroinngdupctriovciteys.s,Adpdoritoiosintyal,lya, nndaneolceocmtrpicoaslitceosnwdiuthctdiviffiteyr.enAtdlodaitdioinngaslloyf, MnaWnoCcNomT pwoesrietefsabwriicthateddiftfoerceonmt ploaareditnhgeisr roefsuMltWinCg NmTecwhaenriecaflapbrroicpaetretdiestoancdompipeazroeretshisetiirveresseunlstiinngg fmunecchtiaonnisc.aAl psrcoapnenritniegs ealnecdtrpoinezmoricersoisstciovpe ese(SnEsiMng) wfuanscutisoends.toAqsucaalnifnyinthgeepleocrtorosintymaincdrodsceompoen(sStEraMte) twhaesquusaelidtytoofqMuaWlifCyNthTedpisoproerssitiyonanwdithdienmtohnesntraanteoctohme pqousailtietys. oTfhMe WnaCnNocTomdipsopseirtseiownitwhitthheinbtehset pniaenzoocreosmisptiovseitpeesr.foTrmheannceanwoacsomfuprtohseirteinvweistthigattheed tboefsutllypciehzaorraecsteisrtiizveethpeeprifeozromreasniscteivewraesspofunrstehoefr tihnevepsotirgoautsedcotmo pfurellsysicohnarsaecntseorriz. e the piezoresistive response of the porous compression sensor
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
