Effect of CNT on the Physical and Electrical Properties of CNT/UHMWPE Nanocomposite Sensor

Abstract:

Nano Composites Polymer represents a class of multifunctional sensors that can effectively respond to changes in electrical properties when subjected to external forces acting on their physical characteristics. The research aims to develop nanocomposite polymer sensors that can respond well and be easily molded. The experimental process involved mixing Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with 1%, 4%, and 7wt% of carbon nanotubes (CNT) using the hot pressing method, leading to remarkable improvements in the electrical and mechanical properties of the composite polymers. The distribution patterns of CNT at different weight ratios showed that 4 wt% exhibited a more desirable and uniform distribution. However, at 1 wt%, the amount of CNT was insufficient, resulting in scattering and disconnection. On the other hand, at 7 wt%, the CNT distribution appeared to be densely bundled in some areas, leading to detrimental effects on the mechanical and electrical properties, as well as the electrical percolation threshold of the composites. Regarding the mechanical properties test, significant improvements were found at 4 wt% for the tensile strength, but when the filler content exceeded 4 wt%, there was a reduction in the tensile strength of the CNT/UHMWPE composites. Additionally, the change in electrical resistance based on the physical characteristics was examined by varying the percentage of CNT added to UHMWPE through compression and bending tests. The compression tests were conducted using weights ranging from 0 to 10 kg, and the bending tests were performed with angles from 0° to 40° degrees. In terms of the test results, however, with 4% and 7% wt% CNT filler, the electrical resistance values could be successfully measured by a multimeter. The electrical percolation threshold was found to be very good at 4 wt%. For the compression testing results, the resistance values ranged from approximately 27.329 to 32.389 KΩ for the 4 wt% filler and from 0.504 to 0.552 KΩ for the 7 wt% filler. As for the bending testing, the resistance values ranged from approximately 4.019 to 4.044 KΩ for the 4 wt% filler and from 0.427 to 0.432 KΩ for the 7 wt% filler.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 1103)
• Pages: 75-85
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-Cnf88n
• Online since: October 2023
• Authors: Patsakorn Longphiew*, Surangsee Dechjarern
• Keywords: Bio Composites Sensors, Carbon Nanotubes (CNT), Electroactive Polymers (EAPs), Hot Pressing Technique, Piezoelectric Sensor, Polymer Nanocomposites Sensors, Strain Sensor, Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)

References

[1] Xia, Xiaodong, et al. "Revealing the AC electromechanically coupled effects and stable sensitivity on the dielectric loss in CNT-based nanocomposite sensors." Materials & Design 216 (2022): 110557.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110557

[2] Melvin, Gan Jet Hong, Qing-Qing Ni, and Toshiaki Natsuki. "Fabrication and characterization of polymer-based electroactive nanocomposite actuator." Microelectronic engineering 126 (2014): 9-12.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mee.2014.04.001

[3] Parameswaranpillai, Jyotishkumar, and Sayan Ganguly. "Introduction to polymer composite-based sensors." Polymeric Nanocomposite Materials for Sensor Applications. Woodhead Publishing, 2023. 1-21.

DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-98830-8.00006-0

[4] Lu, Yang, et al. "Recent developments in via advanced polymer nanocomposite-based wearable strain sensors." Biosensors and bioelectronics 123 (2019): 167-177.

DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2018.08.037

[5] Reddy, S.K., et al. "Strain and damage-sensing performance of biocompatible smart CNT/UHMWPE nanocomposites." Materials Science and Engineering: C 92 (2018): 957-968.

DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.07.029

[6] Lim, Hanpin, and Stephen W. Hoag. "Plasticizer effects on physical–mechanical properties of solvent cast Soluplus® films." Aaps Pharmscitech 14 (2013): 903-910.

DOI: 10.1208/s12249-013-9971-z

[7] ASTM Standards D638 – 22. Standard Test Method forTensile Properties of Plastics.

[8] Sherif, Hany A., and Fahad A. Almufadi. "Fabrication and characterization of silicone rubber/multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite sensors under impact force." Sensors and Actuators A: Physical 297 (2019): 111479.

DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2019.07.004

[9] Liu, Lili, Zhiqiang Niu, and Jun Chen. "Flexible supercapacitors based on carbon nanotubes." Chinese Chemical Letters 29.4 (2018): 571-581.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2018.01.013

[10] ASTM Standards F648 – 21. Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Powder and Fabricated Form for Surgical Implants

DOI: 10.1520/f0648-96

[11] Gupta, Tejendra K., and Shanmugam Kumar. "Fabrication of carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposites." Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Polymers. Elsevier, 2018. 61-81.

DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-48221-9.00004-2

[12] Wang, Enliang, et al. "Effect of graphene oxide-carbon nanotube hybrid filler on the mechanical property and thermal response speed of shape memory epoxy composites." Composites Science and Technology 169 (2019): 209-216.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2018.11.022

[13] Reddy, S. K., et al. "Strain and damage-sensing performance of biocompatible smart CNT/UHMWPE nanocomposites." Materials Science and Engineering: C 92 (2018): 957-968.

DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2018.07.029

[14] Kumar, R. Manoj, et al. "Effects of carbon nanotube aspect ratio on strengthening and tribological behavior of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composite." Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 76 (2015): 62-72.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.05.007

[15] Alam, M. K., et al. "Structural, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of carbon black reinforced polyester resin composites." Journal of Applied Polymer Science 131.13 (2014).

DOI: 10.1002/app.40421

[16] Alam, Fahad, et al. "Electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced UHMWPE nanocomposites." Materials Science and Engineering: B241(2019):82-91.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2019.02.011

[17] Deplancke, Tiana, et al. "Impact of carbon nanotube prelocalization on the ultra-low electrical percolation threshold and on the mechanical behavior of sintered UHMWPE-based nanocomposites." Polymer 111 (2017): 204-213.

DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.01.040

[18] Mierczynska, A., et al. "Electrical and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube/ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene composites prepared by a filler prelocalization method." Journal of applied polymer science 105.1 (2007): 158-168.

DOI: 10.1002/app.26044

[19] Singh, Karamvir, et al. "Fabrication of serpentine and I structured graphene-CNT based highly sensitive and flexible strain sensors." Microelectronic Engineering 250 (2021): 111631.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mee.2021.111631

[20] He, Yuxin, et al. "CNT/PDMS conductive foam-based piezoresistive sensors with low detection limits, excellent durability, and multifunctional sensing capability." Sensors and Actuators A: Physical 358 (2023): 114408.

DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2023.114408

[21] Amjadi, Morteza, and Metin Sitti. "Self‐Sensing Paper Actuators Based on Graphite–Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Films." Advanced science 5.7 (2018): 1800239.

DOI: 10.1002/advs.201800239

[22] Nag, A., et al. "3D printed mould-based graphite/PDMS sensor for low-force applications." Sensors and Actuators A: Physical 280 (2018): 525-534.

DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2018.08.028

[23] Nag, Anindya, et al. "Strain induced graphite/PDMS sensors for biomedical applications." Sensors and Actuators A: Physical 271 (2018): 257-269.

DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2018.01.044

[24] Alarifi, Ibrahim M. "Investigation the conductivity of carbon fiber composites focusing on measurement techniques under dynamic and static loads." Journal of Materials Research and Technology 8.5 (2019): 4863-4893.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2019.08.019