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Porosity and composition dependence on electrical and piezoresistive properties of thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 August 2013

Reza Rizvi  and
Hani Naguib
Reza Rizvi
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G8
Hani Naguib*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G8; and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G8
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

The development and characterization of pressure sensing porous nanocomposites are reported here. A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was chosen as an elastomeric matrix, which was reinforced with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) by high shear twin screw extrusion mixing. Porosity was introduced to the composites through the phase separation of a single TPU-carbon-dioxide gas solution. Interactions between MWNT and TPU were elucidated through calorimetry, gravimetric decomposition, conductivity measurements, and microstructure imaging. The piezoresistance (pressure–resistance) behavior of the nanocomposites was investigated and found to be dependent on MWNT concentration and nanocomposite microstructure. Mechanisms of piezoresistance in solid and porous nanocomposites are proposed.

Keywords

piezoresponsefoamcomposite
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 28 , Issue 17: Focus Issue: Advances in the Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Bulk Porous Materials , 14 September 2013 , pp. 2415 - 2425
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013 

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