Selective laser sintering 3D-Printed conductive thermoplastic polyether-block-amide elastomer/carbon nanotube composites for strain sensing system and electro-induced shape memory

• Published in: Composites communications 2022-11, Vol.35, p.101280, Article 101280
• Main Authors: Ding, Bowen, Zhang, Yuancheng, Wang, Jiqiang, Mei, Shuxiang, Chen, Xiaoyin, Li, Siyuan, Zhao, Wei, Zhang, Xiaomeng, Shi, Ge, He, Yanjie, Cui, Zhe, Fu, Peng, Pang, Xinchang, Liu, Minying
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electro-induced shape memory; Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs); Selective laser sintering (SLS); Strain sensor; Thermoplastic polyether-block-amide elastomer (TPAE)
• ISSN: 2452-2139; 2452-2139
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coco.2022.101280

A novel mixed powders made up of laboratory-made thermoplastic polyether-block-amide (TPAE) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for the selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing have been prepared through an environment-friendly approach and the carbon nanotube conductive network structure is established in the SLS-processed nanocomposite devices. The electrical properties, strain sensing property and electro-induced shape memory effect of flexible TPAE/MWCNTs nanocomposites are fully investigated. The conductivity of TPAE/MWCNTs nanocomposites increases as the MWCNTs content increases owing to the interconnected MWCNTs conductive network. During compressing test with different deformation strain and speed, the SLS-processed flexible sensor exhibits a regular, fast, sensitive and stable cyclic response which shows its great potential for artificial electronic skin, human-machine interface and health monitoring. The TPAE-5.0C nanocomposite also possessed an excellent shape recovery ability during electro-induced shape memory cycle which was triggered by Joule heat under DC voltage. The MWCNTs-TPAE powder prepared here provides a novel material for SLS 3D-printing and the SLS-processed devices with outstanding performance and multiple functions will be very useful for developing flexible and lightweight wearables in the future. [Display omitted] •A novel MWCNTs-TPAE powder for SLS 3D-printing was prepared.•TPAE/MWCNTs nanocomposite possesses excellent electrical properties.•A flexible strain sensor made of TPAE/MWCNTs nanocomposite was fabricated.•The electro-triggered shape recovery of TPAE/MWCNTs nanocomposite was realized.