A highly-deformable composite composed of an entangled network of electrically-conductive carbon-nanotubes embedded in elastic polyurethane

• Published in: Carbon (New York) 2012-08, Vol.50 (10), p.3446-3453
• Main Authors: Slobodian, P., Riha, P., Saha, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Elongation; Exact sciences and technology; Extensibility; Fullerenes and related materials; diamonds, graphite; General and physical chemistry; Knees; Materials science; Membranes; Networks; Physics; Polyurethane resins; Specific materials; Strain; Transducers
• ISSN: 0008-6223; 1873-3891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2012.03.008

The electrical resistance change of a highly extensible composite consisting of a network of entangled multi-wall carbon nanotubes in a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is tested. The composite is prepared by taking a non-woven polyurethane filter membrane, enmeshing it with carbon nanotubes and melding them together. Testing has shown that the material can be elongated as much as 400% during which the resistance is increased more than 270 times. It indicates favorable properties of the composite for its use as a highly-deformation strain sensing element, a strain-electric signal transducer, electromagnetic field shielding and protection against lightning. As an example of its use as a strain sensor, human knee flexion and knee cyclic movement has been monitored. This may be of use in orthopedics and rehabilitation.