Development of a novel strain sensor using nanotube-based materials with applications to structural vibration control

Abstract

In many structural vibration control applications, strain sensors play a key role in the design and implementation of the vibration controller. Different types of sensors are commercially available, among which is the poled polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), an attractive sensor for large bandwidths and low costs. Despite such attractive features, PVDF-based sensors have limited use due to their low efficiency (mechanical energy to electrical energy conversion factor). To remedy this, nanocrystals and nanostructures have been recently cited as candidate materials that can be engineered to exhibit enhanced or entirely new properties for use in different applications. Particularly, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have raised considerable interest in the scientific community due to their size and wide range of outstanding material properties. Given the moduli and strength values of CNTs, they are ideal filler materials for high performance (polymer) composite materials with unbeatable modulus-to-weight and strength-toweight ratios-the attributes that are essential for structural vibration control of a wide variety of industrial equipment and systems. Along this line of reasoning, this paper undertakes the development and implementation of a novel sensor paradigm based on proper fusion of CNTs with PVDF materials.

Use of Hansen solubility parameters to predict dispersion and strain transfer of functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes in poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites

“…[16][17][18] In this respect, adding SWNT to PVDF changes the electrical characteristics and also increases the electromechanical response. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] In this study, solution blending was used as the manufacturing method in the process of the composites and purified SWNTs; nitric acid (HNO 3 )-and octadecylamine (ODA)functionalized SWNTs were used as the fillers. In order to get well dispersion of SWNT in the PVDF matrix, the SWNT have to be stably dispersed in the solvent, the polymer should be dissolved in the solvent and the physical affinity between SWNT and PVDF need to be strong.…”

Membranes of Polyvinylidene Fluoride and PVDF Nanocomposites with Carbon Nanotubes via Immersion Precipitation

“…Membranes from electrospun polymer nanocomposites can also be used for sensing applications [33,34]. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes into PVDF is especially attractive because of the significant increase in the electromechanical coefficient to enable the use of the resulting nanocomposites as actuators for artificial muscles and sensors for vibration control [35][36][37].…”

Buckling of boron nitride nanotube reinforced piezoelectric polymeric composites subject to combined electro-thermo-mechanical loadings

“…As both BNNT and matrix are piezoelectric materials [18][19][20][21], the buckling instability of current structures can be controlled by applying thermal and electrical loads along with external force. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no report in the literature regarding the effect of complex (i.e., electrical, thermal and mechanical) loadings on buckling instability of nanostructures.…”