Carbon nanotube localization at interface in cocontinuous blends of polyethylene and polycarbonate

A shapeable, ultra-stretchable rubber strain sensor based on carbon nanotubes and Ag flakes via melt-mixing process

Promoting the detection range, durability, and shapeable manufacturing of flexible strain sensors is essential to broaden their applications. Therefore, in this study, styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) rubber as a flexible material and a melt-mixing molding method are adopted to design an ultra-flexible strain sensor. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are added to form a conductive network, and the effect of Ag flakes on improving the sensor performance is studied. The experiment results exhibit good strain-resistance dependent characteristics of the obtained sensor, which demonstrates an excellent sensing range of about 540% with a gauge factor (GF) of 5.197. The good hydrophobicity (water contact angle ≈120.4°), repeatable characteristics at different rates, strain-dependence and long-term recycling of the sensor are demonstrated as well. Finally, the fabricated round bracelet sensor is applied to detect different cross-sections, the movement of human joints, balloon inflation, bottle cap sealing and numerous other aspects.

The Localization Behavior of Different CNTs in PC/SAN Blends Containing a Reactive Component

Co-continuous blend systems of polycarbonate (PC), poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN), commercial non-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or various types of commercial and laboratory functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and a reactive component (RC, N-phenylmaleimide styrene maleic anhydride copolymer) were melt compounded in one step in a microcompounder. The blend system is immiscible, while the RC is miscible with SAN and contains maleic anhydride groups that have the potential to reactively couple with functional groups on the surface of the nanotubes. The influence of the RC on the localization of MWCNTs and SWCNTs (0.5 wt.%) was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-filtered TEM. In PC/SAN blends without RC, MWCNTs are localized in the PC component. In contrast, in PC/SAN-RC, the MWCNTs localize in the SAN-RC component, depending on the RC concentration. By adjusting the MWCNT/RC ratio, the localization of the MWCNTs can be tuned. The SWCNTs behave differently compared to the MWCNTs in PC/SAN-RC blends and their localization occurs either only in the PC or in both blend components, depending on the type of the SWCNTs. CNT defect concentration and surface functionalities seem to be responsible for the localization differences.