Highly conductive carbon nanotubes and flexible cellulose nanofibers composite membranes with semi-interpenetrating networks structure. (15th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Hao; Sun, Xiaohang; Hubbe, Martin A.; Pal, Lokendra
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 222(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10-15
• Subjects: Conductive membranes -- Cellulose nanofibers -- Carbon nanotubes -- Electrical conductivity -- Capacitive pressure sensors; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: CNF/MWCNTs films with a structure of semi-interpenetrating networks were fabricated. Percolation threshold level of CNF/MWCNTs membranes of 1.88 wt% was achieved. CNF/MWCNTs films with 10 wt% MWCNTs showed a high conductivity value of 37.6 S/m. Resistances of CNF/MWCNTs films were affected by bending states to a minor extent. Capacitance of the pressure sensors was almost linearly dependent on pressure. Abstract: Highly conductive multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and flexible cellulose nanofibers (CNF) membranes with semi-interpenetrating networks structure were fabricated using the typical paper-making method, which was simple and cost-effective. The Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to estimate the morphology, chemical structure, and thermal stability of the membranes. The mechanical, optical, and electrical properties of the membranes were characterized with a uniaxial tensile testing machine, ultraviolet visible spectroscope, and digital multimeter, respectively. The results indicated that the membranes containing 10 wt% of MWCNTs showed a high conductivity value of 37.6 S/m, and the sheet resistances of the membranes were stable at different bending states. Furthermore, we demonstrated the electrical features of membrane-based capacitive pressure sensors based on CNF/MWCNTs. The proposed method for fabricating CNF/MWCNTs membranes can simplify the production process and have great practical potential in various electronics applications such as touch screens.