Tailoring the properties for composites based on xGNP, TiC and nursing their biocompatibility for wearable technologies

• Published in: Diamond and related materials 2024-12, Vol.150, p.111724, Article 111724
• Main Authors: Kumar, Vineet, Bhaskar, Rakesh, Han, Sung Soo, Park, Sang Shin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Mechanical stiffness; Non-toxicity; Output voltage; Response time; Silicone rubber
• ISSN: 0925-9635
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2024.111724

Recently, the balance of stiffness, response time, output voltage, and nursing their biocompatibility are hot research topics and thus developed in the present work. Here, the configurations show the importance of harvesting mechanical energy into electric energy through the piezoelectric mechanism. Some basic strategies to achieve this work's goal involve using stretchable and dielectric elastomers such as silicone rubber (SR) as host matrix to fabricate the device. Then, the addition of 2-dimensional reinforcing and electrically conductive fillers such as exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets (xGNPs) or Titanium carbide (TiC) into the SR matrix was fabricated. Results show that at 5 phr of xGNP-filled composites, the compressive load was ∼275 N for 1 sample, ∼550 N for 2 replicas, and ∼ 650 N for 3 replicas. Similarly, the stretchability was 92 % (unfilled), and at 5 phr, it was 114 % (xGNP), 154 % (TiC), and 106 % (hybrid filler). For an electrode area of 235.5 mm2 (3 replicas), the output voltage was ∼1.6 mV (xGNP), ∼0.95 mV (TiC), and ∼ 0.45 mV (Hybrid). Similarly, for an electrode area of 235.5 mm2 (3 replicas), the response time was ∼283 ms (xGNP), ∼297 ms (TiC), and ∼ 307 ms (Hybrid). The durability tests were also performed and the results show that the voltage drop was negligible from initial to final cycles. Finally, the biocompatible tests were performed. The results show that the samples tested in the present work are biocompatible and can be useful for wearables or as implants for biomedical applications. [Display omitted] •The balance of stiffness, response time, output voltage is reported.•The work involves use of silicone rubber as host matrix•Electro-conductive fillers used are graphene nanoplatelets and titanium carbide.•The output voltage was ~1.6 mV (xGNP), ~0.95 mV (TiC), and ~0.45 mV (Hybrid).•The samples tested are biocompatible and useful as wearables or as implants.