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CONDUCTIVE ELASTOMER NANOCOMPOSITES FOR STRAIN SENSORS APPLICATIONS

sang, zhen
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9703-6311
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1554126739899435

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Macromolecular Science and Engineering.
Conductive elastomer composites (CECs), consisting of electrically conductive nanofillers and elastomers, have shown significant potential for wearable electronics due to their good combination of conductivity and stretchability. However, it is challenging to simultaneously achieve low percolation threshold, wide strain sensing range and high strain sensitivity. In this study, we introduced a new type of branched carbon nanostructures, known as carbon nanostructure (CNS) and melt compounding them with thermoplastic polyurethane which has excellent elasticity and good affinity with carbon fillers. The melt-mixed TPU/CNS composites demonstrate outstanding electrical conductivity and low percolation threshold (Φc) by comparison with that of TPU/straight carbon nanotube (CNT) systems. By taking advantage of CNS, we further developed a facile and environmental friendly strategy towards achieving highly stretchable strain sensors. Inspired by the brick-wall structure, a robust segregated conductive network of CNS is formed at TPU powders interface, which contributes directly to the extremely low Φc, wider strain sensing range and better reproducibility compared with melt compounded composites. This strategy advances the understanding of the effects of polymer-filler interface on the properties enhancements for polymer composites. Conductive elastomer composites (CECs), consisting of electrically conductive nanofillers and elastomers, have shown significant potential for wearable electronics due to their good combination of conductivity and stretchability. However, it is challenging to simultaneously achieve low percolation threshold, wide strain sensing range and high strain sensitivity. In this study, we introduced a new type of branched carbon nanostructures, known as carbon nanostructure (CNS) and melt compounding them with thermoplastic polyurethane which has excellent elasticity and good affinity with carbon fillers. The melt-mixed TPU/CNS composites demonstrate outstanding electrical conductivity and low percolation threshold (Φc) by comparison with that of TPU/straight carbon nanotube (CNT) systems. By taking advantage of CNS, we further developed a facile and environmental friendly strategy towards achieving highly stretchable strain sensors. Inspired by the brick-wall structure, a robust segregated conductive network of CNS is formed at TPU powders interface, which contributes directly to the extremely low Φc, wider strain sensing range and better reproducibility compared with melt compounded composites. This strategy advances the understanding of the effects of polymer-filler interface on the properties enhancements for polymer composites.
Ica Manas-Zloczower, Professor (Committee Chair)
Alexander Jamieson, Professor (Committee Member)
David Schiraldi, Professor (Committee Member)
78 p.
Design; Materials Science

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • sang, Z. (2019). CONDUCTIVE ELASTOMER NANOCOMPOSITES FOR STRAIN SENSORS APPLICATIONS [Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1554126739899435

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • sang, zhen. CONDUCTIVE ELASTOMER NANOCOMPOSITES FOR STRAIN SENSORS APPLICATIONS. 2019. Case Western Reserve University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1554126739899435.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • sang, zhen. "CONDUCTIVE ELASTOMER NANOCOMPOSITES FOR STRAIN SENSORS APPLICATIONS." Master's thesis, Case Western Reserve University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1554126739899435

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1554126739899435
563
© 2019, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License CONDUCTIVE ELASTOMER NANOCOMPOSITES FOR STRAIN SENSORS APPLICATIONS by zhen sang is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.