Preparation of Bamboo-Like Carbon Nanotube Loaded Piezoresistive Polyurethane-Silicone Rubber Composite

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 13; no. 13; p. 2144
• Main Authors: Nabeel, Mohammed, Varga, Miklós, Kuzsela, László, Filep, Ádám, Fiser, Béla, Viskolcz, Béla, Kollar, Mariann, Vanyorek, László
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 29.06.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Bamboo; Carbon; Carbon nanotubes; Compressive strength; Dip coatings; Electrical resistivity; Electron transport; Immersion coating; Magnesium; N-BCNT; Nanocomposites; nanofiller; Nitrates; Nitrogen; nitrogen-doped bamboo-shaped carbon nanotube; piezoresistive; Polyurethane foam; Recoverability; Response time; Rubber; Sensors; Silicone resins; Silicone rubber; Spectrum analysis; Substrates; Thermogravimetric analysis; Hungary; China; Germany
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym13132144

In this study, a novel technology is reported to prepare a piezoresistive polyurethane-silicone rubber nanocomposite. Polyurethane (PU) foam was loaded with a nitrogen-doped bamboo-shaped carbon nanotube (N-BCNT) by using dip-coating, and then, impregnated with silicone rubber. PU was used as a supporting substrate for N-BCNT, while silicone rubber was applied to fill the pores of the foam to improve recoverability, compressive strength, and durability. The composite displays good electrical conductivity, short response time, and excellent repeatability. The resistance was reduced when the amount of N-BCNT (0.43 wt %) was increased due to the expanded conductive path for electron transport. The piezoresistive composite has been successfully tested in many applications, such as human monitoring and finger touch detection.