Assessing the Influence of the Sourcing Voltage on Polyaniline Composites for Stress Sensing Applications

Abstract

Polyaniline (PANI) has recently gained great attention due to its outstanding electrical properties and ease of processability; these characteristics make it ideal for the manufacturing of polymer blends. In this study, the processing and piezoresistive characterization of polymer composites resulting from the blend of PANI with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in different weight percentages (wt %) is reported. The PANI/UHMWPE composites were uniformly homogenized by mechanical mixing and the pellets were manufactured by compression molding. A total of four pellets were manufactured, with PANI percentages of 20, 25, 30 and 35 wt %. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to confirm the effective distribution of PANI and UHMWPE particles in the pellets. A piezoresistive characterization was performed on the basis of compressive forces at different voltages; it was found that the error metrics of hysteresis and drift were influenced by the operating voltage. In general, larger voltages lowered the error metrics, but a reduction in sensor sensitivity came along with voltage increments. In an attempt to explain such a phenomenon, the authors developed a microscopic model for the piezoresistive response of PANI composites, aiming towards a broader usage of PANI composites in strain/stress sensing applications as an alternative to carbonaceous materials.

Development of High-Sensitivity Electrically Conductive Composite Elements by Press Molding of Polymer and Carbon Nanofibers

“…As shown in previous work, carbon nanotubes and conductive polymers exhibit a nonlinear current voltage characteristic [33,34]. In this study, under the measuring conditions used, no clear nonlinearity was found in the results.…”

The Study of the Degree of Crystallinity, Electrical Equivalent Circuit, and Dielectric Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)-Based Biopolymer Electrolytes

“…Thus, various salts have been incorporated into different host polymer matrices [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Polymer electrolytes are hosts for ion carriers while conductive polymers such as polyaniline (PANI) are hosts for electron carriers [ 12 ]. Polymer electrolyte ions are responsible for conduction [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], while in PANI electrons are sources for conduction [ 12 ].…”

“…Polymer electrolytes are hosts for ion carriers while conductive polymers such as polyaniline (PANI) are hosts for electron carriers [ 12 ]. Polymer electrolyte ions are responsible for conduction [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], while in PANI electrons are sources for conduction [ 12 ]. Polymers used for polymer electrolyte preparation can be categorized into natural polymers and synthetic polymers.…”

“…To provide insight into the chemical and physical states of the polymer understudy, dielectric properties, dielectric constant, and dielectric loss have to be measured. To improve these properties, the insertion of dopants into polymers is one of the promising methodologies [ 12 , 41 , 42 , 44 ]. As relatively high-energy capacity materials, dielectric polymers have been studied extensively and intensively.…”

“…The decisive properties of dielectric materials are their large dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, and high electric breakdown strength [45]. Previously, it has been proved that polymer electrolytes with a relatively high DC conductivity and dielectric constant are eligible to be used as separators and charge providers in electrical double layer capacitor (EDLC) applications [12,41,42].…”