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Comprehensive analysis on the electrical behavior of highly stretchable carbon nanotubes/polymer composite through numerical simulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 September 2018

Xiang Fu ,
Ahmed M. Al-Jumaily ,
Maximiano Ramos  and
Yi-Feng Chen
Xiang Fu*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Ahmed M. Al-Jumaily
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Maximiano Ramos
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Yi-Feng Chen
Affiliation:
School of Information Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: xfu@aut.ac.nz
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Abstract

The elastic polymer composite embedded with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is an ideal candidate for stretchable and flexible sensor fabrication due to the perfect combination between the excellent properties of CNTs and the high stretchability of the elastomer. A cube model of nanotube/polymer composite is constructed to comprehensively and theoretically analyze its electrical behavior, which is dominantly governed by the CNT network. The aspect ratio and alignment of CNTs significantly influence both the percolation threshold range and the electrical conductivity; however, the electrical conductivity of CNTs has little impact on the percolation threshold. The piezoresistivity of the composite is not only governed by the property of CNTs but also by the mechanical property of the polymer matrix, including the Poisson’s ratio and alignment of CNTs. The specific reasons why the composite resistance rises when it is stretched are investigated. Finally, one optimizing suggestion is given for making the CNTs/polymer composite with high sensitivity.

Keywords

simulationnanostructurecomposite
Type
Article
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 33 , Issue 20 , 29 October 2018 , pp. 3398 - 3407
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2018 

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References

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