Robust Aligned Carbon Nanotube Tape with Excellent Piezoelectric Properties

Abstract

We report a highly aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) tape with a P(VDF-TrFE) matrix that is mechanically robust and has excellent piezoelectric properties for sensor applications, including, but not limited to vibration gyroscopes and accelerometers. The tapes were tested for piezoelectric response via hysteresis measurements and d33 measurements. It was found that 10 weight percent P(VDF-TrFE) in a solution of DMSO resulted in increased values of dielectric constant, piezoelectric coefficient and mechanical properties. The d33 value for the CNT/P(VDF-TrFE) was 70 pm/V, which is approximately twice that for pure P(VDF-TrFE) film. Adding 10 weight percent BaTiO3 nanoparticles (100nm) increased the piezoelectric d33 value to 81 pm/V. These results are attributed to Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars polarization. This material has a tensile strength of 120 MPa and a Young’s modulus of 17.8 GPa. Keywords: Barium titanate, carbon nanotube, piezoelectricity, P(VDF-TrFE), sensors, strength.