Stretchable Conductive Networks of Carbon Nanotubes Using Plasticized Colloidal Templates

Abstract

We present a study of the behavior of highly ordered, segregated single-wall carbon nanotube (CNT) networks under applied strain. Polymer latex templates induce self-assembly of CNTs into hexagonal (2D) and honeycomb (3D) networks within the matrix. Using mechanical and spectroscopic analysis, we have studied the strain transfer mechanisms between the CNT network and the polymer matrix. Axial deformation of the nanotube network under applied strain is indicated by downshifts in the 2D mode in the Raman spectra, as well as variation in the radial breathing modes. The slippage within nanotube bundles at high strain is indicated by a reduction in the 2D mode rate of change. The fractional resistance change of the composites with strain obeys power law dependence. We present a model for the behavior of CNT bundles under strain informed by these measurements, and potential applications for such composite materials in elastic electronic devices that can tolerate high strain.

Graphene-coated polymer foams as tuneable impact sensors

“…In general, composites yield excellent strain and pressure sensors because their resistivity tends to change with mechanical deformation, resulting in high sensitivity. 5 Composite strain sensors have been fabricated from a number of nano-materials but mainly incorporating nanotubes 6,7 and graphene. [8][9][10][11] Elastomer-based composite sensors are particularly attractive as wearable sensors due to their very low stiffness which is important for reasons of comfort.…”

10 years of frontiers in carbon-based materials: carbon, the “newest and oldest” material. The story so far

“…It has been pointed out that the arrangement/alignment of the CNTs plays a key role in the performance of the system, which can be controlled by assembling the CNTs within a matrix. In this line, Worajittiphon et al (2015) prepared stretchable conductive networks of SWCNTs using plasticised colloidal templates and performed a mechanical and spectroscopic analysis to evaluate the strain transfer mechanisms between the CNT network and the polymer matrix. It was observed that the polymeric latex templates induce self-assembly of CNTs into 2D (hexagonal) and 3D (honeycomb) structures within the matrix.…”

“…Three-dimensional carbon materials are materials with a threedimensional sp 2 carbon structure which includes materials such as activated carbons (AC) (where an important number of examples can be found), carbon schwarzites (Boonyoung et al, 2019), ordered mesoporous carbon (Khan et al, 2020), carbon networks (Worajittiphon et al, 2015;Ishii et al, 2019), graphene aerogels (Kotal et al, 2016), metal-organic frameworks (Zheng et al, 2021) and diamond-based materials (Brosler et al, 2023).…”

“…As mentioned above, 3D materials can be developed from a network of existing carbon materials. In this sense, Worajittiphon et al (2015) developed a network of highly ordered, segregated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) induced by polymerized latex templates. The assembly of the SWCNTs in the matrix resulted in hexagonal (2D) and honeycomb (3D) networks.…”