High electrical sensitivity of polyurethane/carbon nanotube composites to tensile strain

Carbon nanotube/polyurethane (CNT/PU) composites were prepared by using an in-situ polymerization method, and their electrical sensitivity to tensile strain was investigated. The addition of CNTs can remarkably enhance both the mechanical strength and electrical conductivity of the composite. The CNT/PU composite exhibits a high sensitivity of electrical resistance to changes in tensile strain. The electrical resistance of the CNT/PU composite increases by six orders of magnitude in the elongation range 0–200%, which can be attributed to the decrease of CNT volume fraction, expansion of total volume, and changes in the CNT-network structure under the high strain. The dependence of electrical resistivity of the composites on tensile strain can be well explained by a percolation threshold theory. The high electrical sensitivity of the CNT/PU composites to tensile strain can be used as an intelligent material and strain sensors in the field of construction safety.