Title
Flexible 3D Printed Acrylic Composites based on Polyaniline/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Piezoresistive Pressure Sensors
Author
Goretti Arias-Ferreiro, Aurora Lasagabáster-Latorre, Ana Ares-Pernas, M. Sonia Dopico-García, N. Pereira, P. Costa, S. Lanceros-Mendez, María-José Abad
Year
2022
Journal
Advanced Electronic Materials
Abstract
Embedding metal-halide perovskite particles within an insulating host matrix has proven to be an effective strategy for revealing the outstanding luminescence properties of perovskites as an emerging class of light emitters. Particularly, unexpected bright green emission observed in a nominally pure zero-dimensional cesium–lead–bromide perovskite (Cs4PbBr6) has triggered intensive research in better understanding the serendipitous incorporation of emissive guest species within the Cs4PbBr6 host. The development of tunable UV-curable polymeric composites for functional applications, taking into consideration environmental issues and additive manufacturing technologies, is a research topic with relevant challenges yet to be solved. Herein, acrylic composites filled with 0–3 wt.%. polyaniline/ multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PANI/MWCNT) are prepared by Digital Light Processing (DLP) in order to tailor morphology, thermal, mechanical, and electromechanical properties. Viscosity, real-time infrared spectroscopy, and cure depth tests allow optimizing resin composition for suitable DLP printing. 2 wt.% is the maximum filler content reproducibly embedded in the polymer matrix. The advantages of PANI/MWCNT (50/50 wt.%) compared with single-component composites include safety issues, enhanced printability, increased electrical conductivity and thermal stability, and lower electrical percolation threshold (0.83 wt.%). Above this threshold the composites display excellent piezoresistive response, no hysteresis, and stability for over 400 compression cycles. The pressure sensibility (PS) of 2 wt.% composites decreases with applied pressure from PS ≈ 15 to 0.8 Mpa−1 for maximum pressures of 0.02 and 0.57 MPa, respectively. A proof-of-concept of the functionality of the novel materials is developed in the form of a tactile sensor, demonstrating their potential for pressure sensing applications as cost-effective, sustainable, and flexible materials for printed electronics.
Instrument
V-750, FT/IR-4700
Keywords
addictive, UV-curable, polymeric composites