Title :
A Flexible Multifunctional Sensor Based on Carbon Nanotube/Polyurethane Composite
Author :
Slobodian, Petr ; Riha, Pavel ; Benlikaya, Ruhan ; Svoboda, Poemysl ; Petras, Dietmar
Author_Institution :
Polymer Centre, Tomas Bata Univ., Zlin, Czech Republic
Abstract :
A sensor was made of a polymer composite composed of electrically-conductive carbon nanotubes embedded in elastic polyurethane. The composite was prepared using a polyurethane filter membrane, enmeshing it, and melding together with carbon nanotubes. Testing has shown that the composite can be elongated as much as 400% during which the electrical resistance is increased 270 times. The composite is also sensitive to compression and to organic solvent vapors. These properties indicate the composite could have applications as a highly-deformable strain and chemical vapors sensing element and also as flexible electromagnetic shielding or protection against lightning. As an example of the use of the composite as a strain sensor, the pressure variation between a shoe and floor during walking and knee flexion during cycling has been monitored.
Keywords :
carbon nanotubes; chemical sensors; deformation; electromagnetic shielding; nanocomposites; carbon nanotube-polyurethane composite; chemical vapors sensing element; elastic polyurethane; electrical resistance; electrically-conductive carbon nanotubes; flexible electromagnetic shielding; flexible multifunctional sensor; highly-deformable strain; knee flexion; organic solvent vapors; polymer composite; polyurethane filter membrane; strain sensor; walking flexion; Carbon nanotubes; chemical vapor sensing; deformation sensing; polymer composite;
Journal_Title :
Sensors Journal, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/JSEN.2013.2272098