The multifunctional composites based on new generation carbon microsphere and their hybrids with robust interfacial mechanical strength

Abstract

This work has developed composites' mechanical, or electro-mechanical and their utility for energy harvesting aspects. Silicone rubber has been commonly used in multi-functional properties and is thus used as the rubber matrix in the present work. The new generation carbon microsphere (CMS), and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)-CMS hybrids were used as conductive fillers to make silicone rubber useful for energy harvesting applications. The electro-mechanical aspects of the composites studied in this work and the mechanical aspects such as compressive modulus, and mechanical extensibility are very useful for multi-functionality. For example, at 3 phr, the compressive modulus was 1.64 MPa for the control sample, 2.54 MPa for the CMS-filled sample, and 2.95 MPa for the MWCNT-CMS hybrid-filled sample. Moreover, the stretchability at 3 phr, was 125% for the control sample, 74% for the CMS-filled sample, and 98% for the hybrid-filled sample. The output voltage generation at 3 phr filler from energy harvesting tests was 2.5 mV for the CMS-filled sample, and 1.05 mV for the MWCNT-CMS hybrid-filled sample. The MWCNT-CMS hybrid-filled composites appear robust overall and are a promising candidate for the multi-functionality behavior studied in this work.