Easy-Scalable Flexible Sensors Made of Carbon Nanotube-Doped Polydimethylsiloxane: Analysis of Manufacturing Conditions and Proof of Concept
Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) easy-scalable sensors for human motion monitoring are proposed. First, the analysis of the dispersion procedure of nanoparticles into the polymer matrix shows that the ultrasonication (US) technique provides a higher electrical sensitivity...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/14/5147 |
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| author | Antonio del Bosque Xoan F. Sánchez-Romate María Sánchez Alejandro Ureña |
| author_facet | Antonio del Bosque Xoan F. Sánchez-Romate María Sánchez Alejandro Ureña |
| author_sort | Antonio del Bosque |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) easy-scalable sensors for human motion monitoring are proposed. First, the analysis of the dispersion procedure of nanoparticles into the polymer matrix shows that the ultrasonication (US) technique provides a higher electrical sensitivity in comparison to three-roll milling (3RM) due to the higher homogeneity of the CNT distribution induced by the cavitation forces. Furthermore, the gauge factor (GF) calculated from tensile tests decreases with increasing the CNT content, as the interparticle distance between CNTs is reduced and, thus, the contribution of the tunnelling mechanisms diminishes. Therefore, the optimum conditions were set at 0.4 CNT wt.% dispersed by US procedure, providing a GF of approximately 37 for large strains. The electrical response under cycling load was tested at 2%, 5%, and 10% strain level, indicating a high robustness of the developed sensors. Thus, this strain sensor is in a privileged position with respect to the state-of-the-art, considering all the characteristics that this type of sensor must accomplish: high GF, high flexibility, high reproducibility, easy manufacturing, and friendly operation. Finally, a proof-of-concept of human motion monitoring by placing a sensor for elbow and finger movements is carried out. The electrical resistance was found to increase, as expected, with the bending angle and it is totally recovered after stretching, indicating that there is no prevalent damage and highlighting the huge robustness and applicability of the proposed materials as wearable sensors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:57:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5960967bee2d49a38f59c79b3fc84982 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T05:57:12Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-5960967bee2d49a38f59c79b3fc849822023-12-03T12:12:14ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202022-07-012214514710.3390/s22145147Easy-Scalable Flexible Sensors Made of Carbon Nanotube-Doped Polydimethylsiloxane: Analysis of Manufacturing Conditions and Proof of ConceptAntonio del Bosque0Xoan F. Sánchez-Romate1María Sánchez2Alejandro Ureña3Materials Science and Engineering Area, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, 28933 Madrid, SpainMaterials Science and Engineering Area, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, 28933 Madrid, SpainMaterials Science and Engineering Area, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, 28933 Madrid, SpainMaterials Science and Engineering Area, Escuela Superior de Ciencias Experimentales y Tecnología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/Tulipán s/n, Móstoles, 28933 Madrid, SpainCarbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) easy-scalable sensors for human motion monitoring are proposed. First, the analysis of the dispersion procedure of nanoparticles into the polymer matrix shows that the ultrasonication (US) technique provides a higher electrical sensitivity in comparison to three-roll milling (3RM) due to the higher homogeneity of the CNT distribution induced by the cavitation forces. Furthermore, the gauge factor (GF) calculated from tensile tests decreases with increasing the CNT content, as the interparticle distance between CNTs is reduced and, thus, the contribution of the tunnelling mechanisms diminishes. Therefore, the optimum conditions were set at 0.4 CNT wt.% dispersed by US procedure, providing a GF of approximately 37 for large strains. The electrical response under cycling load was tested at 2%, 5%, and 10% strain level, indicating a high robustness of the developed sensors. Thus, this strain sensor is in a privileged position with respect to the state-of-the-art, considering all the characteristics that this type of sensor must accomplish: high GF, high flexibility, high reproducibility, easy manufacturing, and friendly operation. Finally, a proof-of-concept of human motion monitoring by placing a sensor for elbow and finger movements is carried out. The electrical resistance was found to increase, as expected, with the bending angle and it is totally recovered after stretching, indicating that there is no prevalent damage and highlighting the huge robustness and applicability of the proposed materials as wearable sensors.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/14/5147carbon nanotubesstretchable sensorsPDMShuman motion monitoring |
| spellingShingle | Antonio del Bosque Xoan F. Sánchez-Romate María Sánchez Alejandro Ureña Easy-Scalable Flexible Sensors Made of Carbon Nanotube-Doped Polydimethylsiloxane: Analysis of Manufacturing Conditions and Proof of Concept Sensors carbon nanotubes stretchable sensors PDMS human motion monitoring |
| title | Easy-Scalable Flexible Sensors Made of Carbon Nanotube-Doped Polydimethylsiloxane: Analysis of Manufacturing Conditions and Proof of Concept |
| title_full | Easy-Scalable Flexible Sensors Made of Carbon Nanotube-Doped Polydimethylsiloxane: Analysis of Manufacturing Conditions and Proof of Concept |
| title_fullStr | Easy-Scalable Flexible Sensors Made of Carbon Nanotube-Doped Polydimethylsiloxane: Analysis of Manufacturing Conditions and Proof of Concept |
| title_full_unstemmed | Easy-Scalable Flexible Sensors Made of Carbon Nanotube-Doped Polydimethylsiloxane: Analysis of Manufacturing Conditions and Proof of Concept |
| title_short | Easy-Scalable Flexible Sensors Made of Carbon Nanotube-Doped Polydimethylsiloxane: Analysis of Manufacturing Conditions and Proof of Concept |
| title_sort | easy scalable flexible sensors made of carbon nanotube doped polydimethylsiloxane analysis of manufacturing conditions and proof of concept |
| topic | carbon nanotubes stretchable sensors PDMS human motion monitoring |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/14/5147 |
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