Enhancement of the mechanical properties in ultra-low weight SWCNT sandwiched PDMS composites using a novel stacked architecture
Abstract This study focuses on enhancing the mechanical properties of thin, soft, free-standing films via a layer-by-layer (LBL) fabrication process called LBL-FP. Soft polymer nanocomposite (PNC) thin films, combining polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) at ultra-l...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2024-02-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54631-7 |
| _version_ | 1797274917930008576 |
|---|---|
| author | Pavithra Ananthasubramanian Rahul Sahay Nagarajan Raghavan |
| author_facet | Pavithra Ananthasubramanian Rahul Sahay Nagarajan Raghavan |
| author_sort | Pavithra Ananthasubramanian |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study focuses on enhancing the mechanical properties of thin, soft, free-standing films via a layer-by-layer (LBL) fabrication process called LBL-FP. Soft polymer nanocomposite (PNC) thin films, combining polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) at ultra-low loadings using a unique bottom-up LBL-FP, are examined. Two different structures of layered composites, (i) LBL PNCs- Layered composites with alternating layers of PDMS and SWCNT, (ii) Bulk PNCs- Layered composites with SWCNT dispersed in the bulk of PDMS, are comparatively investigated for their structural and mechanical properties. Silane-functionalized SWCNT strengthens the chemical bonding with PDMS, improving adhesion and dispersion. Mechanical analysis using nanoindentation, delamination, and dynamic analysis highlights the advantages of LBL PNCs with alternating layers of PDMS and SWCNT. Notably, LBL PNC (0.5 wt%) exhibits significant improvements, such as 2.6X increased nanoindentation resistance, 3X improved viscoelasticity, and (2–5)X enhanced tensile properties in comparison with neat PDMS. Due to this, LBL PNCs offer potential for soft, lightweight applications like wearables, electromagnetic interference shielding materials, and strain sensors while advancing composite thin film mechanics. The study emphasizes using a stacked architecture to produce PDMS-SWCNT multilayered PNCs with improved mechanics utilizing ultra-low concentrations of SWCNT. This first-of-its-kind stack design facilitates possibilities for lightweight composites utilizing less fillers. The LBL assembly involves the stacking of alternating layers of different materials, each contributing specific properties to enhance the overall strength and toughness of the structure. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:05:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-26e78f4caa5c4028b967a7e67549d199 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:05:58Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-26e78f4caa5c4028b967a7e67549d1992024-03-05T18:54:14ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-02-0114112210.1038/s41598-024-54631-7Enhancement of the mechanical properties in ultra-low weight SWCNT sandwiched PDMS composites using a novel stacked architecturePavithra Ananthasubramanian0Rahul Sahay1Nagarajan Raghavan2nano-Macro Reliability Laboratory (nMRL), Engineering Product Development (EPD) Pillar, Singapore University of Technology and Designnano-Macro Reliability Laboratory (nMRL), Engineering Product Development (EPD) Pillar, Singapore University of Technology and Designnano-Macro Reliability Laboratory (nMRL), Engineering Product Development (EPD) Pillar, Singapore University of Technology and DesignAbstract This study focuses on enhancing the mechanical properties of thin, soft, free-standing films via a layer-by-layer (LBL) fabrication process called LBL-FP. Soft polymer nanocomposite (PNC) thin films, combining polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) at ultra-low loadings using a unique bottom-up LBL-FP, are examined. Two different structures of layered composites, (i) LBL PNCs- Layered composites with alternating layers of PDMS and SWCNT, (ii) Bulk PNCs- Layered composites with SWCNT dispersed in the bulk of PDMS, are comparatively investigated for their structural and mechanical properties. Silane-functionalized SWCNT strengthens the chemical bonding with PDMS, improving adhesion and dispersion. Mechanical analysis using nanoindentation, delamination, and dynamic analysis highlights the advantages of LBL PNCs with alternating layers of PDMS and SWCNT. Notably, LBL PNC (0.5 wt%) exhibits significant improvements, such as 2.6X increased nanoindentation resistance, 3X improved viscoelasticity, and (2–5)X enhanced tensile properties in comparison with neat PDMS. Due to this, LBL PNCs offer potential for soft, lightweight applications like wearables, electromagnetic interference shielding materials, and strain sensors while advancing composite thin film mechanics. The study emphasizes using a stacked architecture to produce PDMS-SWCNT multilayered PNCs with improved mechanics utilizing ultra-low concentrations of SWCNT. This first-of-its-kind stack design facilitates possibilities for lightweight composites utilizing less fillers. The LBL assembly involves the stacking of alternating layers of different materials, each contributing specific properties to enhance the overall strength and toughness of the structure.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54631-7Layered compositesStack designCarbon nanotube reinforced compositesCrack propagationNanoindentation analysisPolymer nanocomposites |
| spellingShingle | Pavithra Ananthasubramanian Rahul Sahay Nagarajan Raghavan Enhancement of the mechanical properties in ultra-low weight SWCNT sandwiched PDMS composites using a novel stacked architecture Scientific Reports Layered composites Stack design Carbon nanotube reinforced composites Crack propagation Nanoindentation analysis Polymer nanocomposites |
| title | Enhancement of the mechanical properties in ultra-low weight SWCNT sandwiched PDMS composites using a novel stacked architecture |
| title_full | Enhancement of the mechanical properties in ultra-low weight SWCNT sandwiched PDMS composites using a novel stacked architecture |
| title_fullStr | Enhancement of the mechanical properties in ultra-low weight SWCNT sandwiched PDMS composites using a novel stacked architecture |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancement of the mechanical properties in ultra-low weight SWCNT sandwiched PDMS composites using a novel stacked architecture |
| title_short | Enhancement of the mechanical properties in ultra-low weight SWCNT sandwiched PDMS composites using a novel stacked architecture |
| title_sort | enhancement of the mechanical properties in ultra low weight swcnt sandwiched pdms composites using a novel stacked architecture |
| topic | Layered composites Stack design Carbon nanotube reinforced composites Crack propagation Nanoindentation analysis Polymer nanocomposites |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54631-7 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT pavithraananthasubramanian enhancementofthemechanicalpropertiesinultralowweightswcntsandwichedpdmscompositesusinganovelstackedarchitecture AT rahulsahay enhancementofthemechanicalpropertiesinultralowweightswcntsandwichedpdmscompositesusinganovelstackedarchitecture AT nagarajanraghavan enhancementofthemechanicalpropertiesinultralowweightswcntsandwichedpdmscompositesusinganovelstackedarchitecture |