Improving the stability of multiwalled carbon nanotube/silicone rubber composites strain sensors by nanosilica

Abstract

Conductive polymer composites use elastomers as a matrix for strain sensors. However, elastic polymer composites usually exhibit shoulder peak effects in their resistance response signals, limiting their applicability as strain sensors. In this study, we modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ) by incorporating nanosilica (NSD) to eliminate the shoulder peak effect. The results showed that the addition of a suitable amount of NSD can improve the reconstruction of the conductive network of composite material and eliminated the shoulder peak effect of the composite material in the resistive response signal. The mechanism of eliminating the shoulder peak effect was elucidated, while the mechanical properties of the composite material were improved, which endowed the composite material with excellent strain sensing properties, including sensitivity (GF = 127) and response time (270 ms), and maintained excellent stability and recovery even in 15,000 cycles. These findings highlight the potential of our strain sensor for the real‐time strain monitoring of large‐deformation isolation bearings.Highlights NSD eliminates shoulder peak effect in MWCNT/VMQ composites. Explained the shoulder peak effect elimination mechanism. NSD enhanced mechanical properties of MWCNT/VMQ composites. MWCNT‐NSD20/VMQ composites have stable resistive strain response properties.

Development of Silicone Rubber-Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composites for Strain-Sensing Applications: Morphological, Mechanical, Electrical, and Sensing Properties

“…Elastomeric strain sensors represent an advanced class of smart materials that has gathered significant interest across a diverse range of applications, including structural health monitoring, − human body movement detection, − personalized health monitoring, − soft robotics, − and electronic skin. − Elastomer strain sensors belong to the category of conductive polymer composites (CPC). These composites operate based on the electrical resistance change when exposed to mechanical deformation, including tensile (strain) and compressive (pressure) forces, namely piezoresistive mechanism. ,, In this mechanism, the strain sensor detects mechanical stimuli and converts them into electrical signals. The sensor exhibits a relationship between the applied strain and the corresponding change in resistance, enabling an accurate strain measurement.…”

“…Their findings reveal that nanosilica incorporation eliminates the shoulder peak effect in resistance response signals, thereby substantially enhancing both the strain-sensing properties and mechanical characteristics of the composites. The resulting composites exhibit exceptional strain sensitivity (GF = 127), swift response time (270 ms), and outstanding stability and recovery, even after enduring 15 000 cycles …”