Nanoarchitectonics of highly sensitive and with large working range 3D piezoresistive microporous foam based on carbon nanotubes and elastomer

Hypothesis: Nanocarbon/polymeric 3D porous composites have been widely developed as piezoresistive sensors due to their improved performances. Functionalized nanocarbon is usually used to allow its adsorption on the surface of porous polymeric material. However, both the functionalization and the sur -face localized distribution of the nanomaterial can limit the nanocarbon effect on conductivity and mechanical stability of the material thus affecting piezoresistive performances. Experiments: A novel nanoarchitectonics strategy to prepare an elastomeric/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) 3D porous piezoresistive nanocomposite is developed. The fabrication route does not require complex appa-ratus and CNTs chemical functionalization. Moreover, foams of any shape and dimensions can be pro-duced with neither complex machinery and procedures nor wastes production. Findings: The obtained material is characterized by the presence of well dispersed pristine CNTs on both surface and bulk of the polymeric matrix. The foam exhibited improved piezoresistive properties with excellent compressive stress (>150 kPa), sensitivity at low displacement (29 kPa(-1)) and limit of detection for both pressure (2 Pa) and extension (130 nm). These excellent features could allow the use of the as prepared nanocomposite in different applications ranging from wearable devices to robotic or infrastructure monitoring with outstanding flexibility. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A novel nanoarchitectonics strategy was developed to prepare an elastomeric/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) 3D porous piezoresistive nanocomposite with excellent properties. The material exhibited well dispersed pristine CNTs on both surface and bulk, along with improved piezoresistive properties and high sensitivity at low displacement. The nanocomposite could be used in various applications with outstanding flexibility.