Effect of Solvent on Segregated Network Morphology in Elastomer Composites for Tunable Piezoresistivity. Issue 9 (10th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sang, Zhen; Guo, Haochen; Ke, Kai; Manas‐Zloczower, Ica
• Other Names: Chirachanchai Suwabun guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular materials and engineering. Volume 304:Issue 9(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-07-10
• Subjects: branched carbon nanotubes/carbon nanostructure (CNS) -- polymer swelling -- segregated structure -- thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) -- tunable piezoresistivity; Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.201900278
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1438-7492

Abstract

Abstract: Flexible, light‐weight, and wearable electronics have significant potential for the development of Internet of Things. Flexible sensors with tunable piezoresistive properties are in high demand for various practical applications. Herein, different morphology thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/ carbon nanostructure (CNS) composites with segregated network are obtained by swelling the TPU powders using various solvents. The better solvent for TPU, dimethylformamide (DMF), renders the composites with 0.7 wt% CNS stronger polymer‐filler interactions, resulting in significantly improved piezoresistive sensitivity at strain larger than 150%. Also the gauge factors ( G F s) for these composites are 9.7 in the range 0–60% strain and 19.3 for 60–100% strain. In contrast, the composites with ethanol (EtOH) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) which swell less the TPU show delayed increase in piezoresistivity and G F s of 2.2 and 3.5 for strain up to 100%, respectively, suggesting potential applications for stretchable conductors. Abstract : Conductive elastomer composites are widely used in wearable electronic devices, stretchable conductors, strain sensors, actuators, and electrically magnetic interference shielding. Modified segregated filler network morphologies are achieved by using various solvents with different swelling effects. With improved polymer‐filler interactions, the corresponding composites demonstrate more strain‐sensitive behavior, with easier signal acquisition in practical sensing applications.