The strain sensing and thermal-mechanical behavior of flexible multi-walled carbon nanotube/polystyrene composite films

The strain sensing and thermal-mechanical behaviors of well dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotube/polystyrene (MWCNT/PS) composite films with different wt.% of carbon nanotubes were analyzed. The thermal-mechanical properties are studied using a dynamical mechanical analyzer and the results give their storage modulus (E') and loss modulus (E '') as a function of temperature. We found an increase in E' of up to 122% at 80 degrees C for a 6 wt.% MWCNT/PS composite compared to PS. The glass transition temperature increased significantly with an increase in MWCNTs concentration. The strain sensing behavior of the films is measured by applying an axial load over film which is attached to a brass specimen. The composite films exhibit excellent strain sensing behavior for different MWCNT contents. The result shows that an electromechanical response of the composite films varies linearly with applied strain even at high strains. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.