Multifunctional Elastic Nanocomposites with Extremely Low Concentrations of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Stretchable and flexible electronics has attracted broad attention over the last years. Nanocomposites based on elastomers and carbon nanotubes are a promising material for soft electronic applications. Despite the fact that single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) based nanocomposites often demonstrate superior properties, the vast majority of the studies were devoted to those based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) mainly because of their higher availability and easier processing procedures. Moreover, high weight concentrations of MWCNTs are often required for high performance of the nanocomposites in electronic applications. Inspired by the recent drop in the SWCNT price, we have focused on fabrication of elastic nanocomposites with very low concentrations of SWCNTs to reduce the cost of nanocomposites further. In this work, we use a fast method of coagulation (antisolvent) precipitation to fabricate elastic composites based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and SWCNTs with a homogeneous distribution of SWCNTs in bulk TPU. Applicability of the approach is confirmed by extra low percolation threshold of 0.006 wt % and, as a consequence, by the state-of-the-art performance of fabricated elastic nanocomposites at very low SWCNT concentrations for strain sensing (gauge factor of 82 at 0.05 wt %) and EMI shielding (efficiency of 30 dB mm–1 at 0.01 wt %).

Effects of the Pre-Consolidated Materials Manufacturing Method on the Mechanical Properties of Pultruded Thermoplastic Composites

“…Moreover, the effects of technological regimes of PCT manufacturing and thermoplastic pultrusion on mechanical properties, occurrence of manufacturing-induced shape distortions, porosity, and morphology of corresponding composites will be studied as well. In particular, the authors plan to investigate the influence of pulling speed [ 39 , 40 ], temperature regime, presence of additives [ 41 ], and carbon nanotubes [ 42 ]. The obtained experimental results will be used for the further multicriteria optimization of pultrusion manufacturing conditions [ 43 , 44 ].…”

Quantum Dot Transfer from the Organic Phase to Acrylic Monomers for the Controlled Integration of Single-Photon Sources by Photopolymerization

“…Recently, scientists and technologists have focused on the relevance of being able to fabricate nanocomposite devices, recognizing the potential for creating functional materials with tailored properties for a wide range of applications. Integration of nanofillers in the polymeric matrix as nanoparticles, nanotubes, or nanowires can improve the mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, and plasmonic characteristics of the resulting device. − Among the different nanofillers, fluorescent semiconductor inorganic nanocrystals, namely, quantum dots (QDs), are particularly interesting due to their unique characteristics, such as the tunable optical properties via their size, , breakthrough in synthetic approaches, or the possibility to functionalize their surface . Moreover, their stability and high resistance to oxidation, photobleaching, and degradation made them suitable for a wide range of applications including optoelectronics, , biomedical imaging, − sensing, − and nanoscale emitters. , …”

Unveiling the Transformative Potential of SWCNT/In2O3 Heterostructures as High-Performance Catalysts for Overall Water Splitting

“…Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have captivated enormous consideration and research owing to their unique amalgamation of distinctive features such as high electrical, optical, and mechanical properties; excellent mobility of 10 5 cm 2 V –1 s –1 ; excellent strength-to-weight ratio; diameter-dependent band gap; reinforcement ability; broad spectral absorption; and good thermal and chemical stability. − SWCNTs manifest in various forms, such as metallic, semimetallic, and semiconducting forms, which strongly depend on their diameter and chirality . SWCNTs have variable diameters, harmonizing surface adsorption and desorption chemistry, which could modulate the electrocatalytic properties of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) .…”