Flexible and stretchable electrode based on multiwalled carbon nanotube/deproteinized natural rubber composites

Abstract

One of stretchable electronic devices is known as the compliant electrode which can retain good electrical conductivity under deformation. Compliant electrodes from MWCNTs and DPNR were prepared by using a UV-curing process and Triton X-100 as a dispersing agent. The effect of Triton X-100/MWCNTs volume ratio was investigated by transmission electron microscopy indicating the highest dispersion was obtained at the volume ratio of 15.6. The mechanical and electrical properties were investigated by a melt rheometer in a tension mode. The 3%v/v MWCNTs composite possessed an excellent mechanical behavior (Young's modulus 5 1.27 3 10 6 Pa) and a high electrical conductivity (1.03 S/cm) relative to previous works. Under the same experimental conditions, a commercial compliant electrode named Danfoss exhibited the Young's modulus and electrical conducivity values of 7.56 3 10 6 Pa and 2.54 3 10 22 S/cm, respectively, which were inferior to the 3%v/v MWCNTs/DPNR. Moreover, the composite film still retained good electrical behaviors under 100% strain, high extentional strain rate of 1 s 21 , high flexed angle, and repeated stretching cycles (40% strain, 50 times) due to the intimate compatibility between the MWCNTs and the elastomer matrix.

Exploring the Potential of Natural Rubber as Electrolytes and Electrodes for Advanced Energy Storage Applications

“…[86] Most of the literature reported on the application of NR in the fabrication of compliant electrodes. [87][88][89] Compliant electrodes are based on two-phase composites which contain conductive materials and the polymer matrix. They have excellent conductivity when stretched, which is mostly used in deformable supercapacitors and flexible batteries.…”

“…They have excellent conductivity when stretched, which is mostly used in deformable supercapacitors and flexible batteries. [87,88] Metal powders have high electrical conductivity, which theoretically could provide better conductivity for the NR-based electrodes. However, metal powders tend to aggregate, hence, poor compatibility with the polymer matrix.…”

“…However, metal powders tend to aggregate, hence, poor compatibility with the polymer matrix. [ 88 ] Therefore, conductive filler (such as carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and carbon fibers) has been chosen to replace the metal powder to provide conductivity to the NR‐based electrodes. [ 90 ] Putson et al [ 6 ] fabricated the NR composites incorporated with different contents of carbon black (CB) nanopowders as the compliant electrodes on the polyurethane (PU) electrostrictive polymer.…”