Electrically conductive and 3D-printable copolymer/MWCNT nanocomposites for strain sensing

Hia, Iee Lee; Snyder, Alexander; Turicek, Jack S.; Blanc, Fernanda; Patrick, James M.; Therriault, Daniel

doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2022.109850

Cited by 20 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…This outcome is mainly attributed to the reduced silicone elastomeric content and compromised effective network between the polymer and filler resulting from the extensive aggregation in the 6 phr composite. Additionally, the conductivity of the composite is adversely affected by the aggregation of MWCNT . This finding supports the concept that the aggregation of MWCNT hinders their effective reinforcement of the silicone rubber matrix, thus making the composite more brittle .…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Additionally, the conductivity of the composite is adversely affected by the aggregation of MWCNT. 59 This finding supports the concept that the aggregation of MWCNT hinders their effective reinforcement of the silicone rubber matrix, thus making the composite more brittle. 69 In summary, increasing the MWCNT content beyond 5 phr leads to pronounced aggregation, resulting in diminished mechanical and electromechanical properties of the composite.…”

Section: ■ Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, aggregation disrupts this even distribution, resulting in less efficient electrical conduction and compromised electrical conductivity in the composite. Achieving proper filler dispersion within the polymer matrix is crucial to ensuring optimal mechanical and electrical performance in the composite …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This reduction is due to the degradation in the electrical properties of the composite caused by aggregation resulting from the filler content above 5 phr. 59 Durability of Devices. A comparison of energy harvesting among different samples, i.e., unfilled, 3 phr, 5 phr, and 6 phr, was conducted.…”

Section: Acsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The Electro-Mechanical Energy Harvesting Configurations in Different Modes from Machine to Self-Powered Wearable Electronics

Manikkavel,

Kumar,

Alam

et al. 2023

ACS Appl. Electron. Mater.

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Recently, self-powered wearable electronics have gained interest among scientists globally because of the numerous configurations available for portable and small power devices. The current research explores the fabrication of flexible devices under the principle of piezoelectric transducers. The materials used in fabrication were versatile dielectric and electro-active silicone rubber (SR) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The tensile moduli of the MWCNT 5 parts per hundred rubber (phr) and unfilled samples are 2.034 and 0.711 MPa, respectively. Adding MWCNT up to 5 phr improved the voltage output of piezo-electric material under mechanical deformation. Energy-harvesting experiments showed that compressive specimens produced 3250% higher voltage output than tensile specimens for 5 phr samples during 30% of strain by machine. MWCNT-reinforced silicone rubber's voltage output was measured during different human motions, including finger and wrist bending of 0−90 deg and finger and leg pressing. A higher voltage of ∼8 mV is harvested from leg pressing than from other human movements and ∼4 mV from finger pressing. Further research is needed to develop custom-built, flexible energy harvesters. Overall, these devices are suitable for powering portable devices because of their self-powering ability and can replace batteries in devices like calculators or smartwatches.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: ■ Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Acsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Electro-Mechanical Energy Harvesting Configurations in Different Modes from Machine to Self-Powered Wearable Electronics

Manikkavel,

Kumar,

Alam

et al. 2023

ACS Appl. Electron. Mater.

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“…CPCs can be fabricated by utilizing intrinsically conductive polymers, such as Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrene sulfonate), [1][2][3] polyaniline, [4,5] and polypyrrole, [5][6][7] or by combining polymers DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202303282 with carbon-based fillers that possess exceptional electrical and mechanical properties. Numerous studies have utilized carbon nanotubes, [8][9][10][11][12][13] carbon black, [14][15][16] graphene, [8,9,11,17,18] and carbon fibers, [19,20] to enhance the electrical conductivity of polymers. Conductive filler addition is guided by the percolation theory that states that the concentration of conductive filler must be above the percolation threshold in order to create an electrical network throughout a polymer.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Situ Electrical Network Activation and Deactivation in Short Carbon Fiber Composites via 3D Printing

Wright

Çelik

2023

Adv Funct Materials

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Prior studies on carbon‐filler based, conductive polymer composites have mainly investigated how conductive filler morphology and concentration can tailor a material's electrical conductivity and overlooks the effects of filler alignment due to the difficulty to control and quickly quantify the filler alignment. Here, direct ink write 3D printing's unique ability is utilized to control carbon fiber alignment with a single process parameter, velocity ratio, to instantaneously activate or deactivate the electrical network in composites. Maximum electrical conductivity is achieved by randomly aligning carbon fibers that enhances the chance of direct fiber‐to‐fiber contact and, thus, activating the electrical network. However, aligning the fibers by increasing the velocity ratio disrupts the electrical network by minimizing fiber‐to‐fiber contact that resulted in a drastic decrease in electrical conductivity by as much as five orders of magnitude in both short and long carbon fiber composites. With this study, this study demonstrates that electrically conductive or insulative composites can be fabricated sequentially with a single ink. This novel ability to instantaneously control the electrical conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced composites allow to directly embed conductive pathways into designs to 3D print multifunctional composites that are capable of localized heating and self‐sensing.

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Fabrication and Characterization of Electrically Conductive 3D Printable TPU/MWCNT Filaments for Strain Sensing in Large Deformation Conditions

Koohbor,

Xue,

Uddin

et al. 2024

Advanced Sensor Research

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This study investigates the development of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filaments incorporating multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to enhance strain‐sensing capabilities. Various MWCNT reinforcement ratios are used to produce customized feedstock for fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing. Mechanical properties and the piezoresistive response of samples printed with these multifunctional filaments are concurrently evaluated. Surface morphology and microstructural observations reveal that higher MWCNT weight percentages increase filament surface roughness and rigidity. The microstructural modifications directly influence the tensile strength and strain energy of the printed samples. The study identifies an apparent percolation threshold within the 10–12 wt.% MWCNT range, indicating the formation of a conductive network. At this threshold, higher gauge factors are achieved at lower strains. A newly introduced Electro‐Mechanical Sensitivity Ratio (ESR) parameter enables the classification of composite behaviors into two distinct zones, offering the ability to tailor self‐sensing structures with on‐demand properties. Finally, flexible structures with proven application in soft robotics and shape morphing are fabricated and tested at different loading conditions to demonstrate the potential applicability of the custom filaments produced. The results highlight a pronounced piezoresistive response and superior load‐bearing performance in the examined structures.

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Electrically conductive and 3D-printable copolymer/MWCNT nanocomposites for strain sensing

Cited by 20 publications

References 65 publications

The Electro-Mechanical Energy Harvesting Configurations in Different Modes from Machine to Self-Powered Wearable Electronics

The Electro-Mechanical Energy Harvesting Configurations in Different Modes from Machine to Self-Powered Wearable Electronics

In Situ Electrical Network Activation and Deactivation in Short Carbon Fiber Composites via 3D Printing

Fabrication and Characterization of Electrically Conductive 3D Printable TPU/MWCNT Filaments for Strain Sensing in Large Deformation Conditions

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