Stress sensitive electricity based on Ag/cellulose nanofiber aerogel for self-reporting

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2017-07, Vol.168, p.265-273
• Main Authors: Yao, Qiufang, Fan, Bitao, Xiong, Ye, Wang, Chao, Wang, Hanwei, Jin, Chunde, Sun, Qingfeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerogel; Ag nanoparticles; Cellulose nanofiber; Self-reporting; Stress sensitive electricity
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.03.089

•AgNPs anchored in cellulose nanofiber (Ag/CNF) was prepared via the silver mirror reaction and ultrasonication.•Ag/CNF was a 3D fibrous structure with a layer of sphere-like Ag nanoparticles in CNF through by the coherent interfaces.•Ag/CNF as a self-reporting material possessed sensitivity, quick response and easily restorative after compressive cycles. A self-reporting aerogel toward stress sensitive slectricity (SSE) was presented using an interconnected 3D fibrous network of Ag nanoparticles/cellulose nanofiber aerogel (Ag/CNF), which was prepared via combined routes of silver mirror reaction and ultrasonication. Sphere-like Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) with mean diameter of 74nm were tightly anchored in the cellulose nanofiber through by the coherent interfaces as the conductive materials. The as-prepared Ag/CNF as a self-reporting material for SSE not only possessed quick response and sensitivity, but also be easily recovered after 100th compressive cycles without plastic deformation or degradation in compressive strength. Consequently, Ag/CNF could play a viable role in self-reporting materials as a quick electric-stress responsive sensor.