scholarly journals The Potential of Graphene Nanoplatelets in the Development of Smart and Multifunctional Ecocomposites

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2189
Author(s):  
Pedro Pereira ◽  
Diana P. Ferreira ◽  
Joana C. Araújo ◽  
Armando Ferreira ◽  
Raul Fangueiro
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Electrical Properties ◽  
Smart Materials ◽  
Textile Composites ◽  
Graphene Nanoplatelets ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Sensing Applications ◽  
Ultraviolet Protection ◽  
Natural Fabrics

Graphene and its derivatives have shown outstanding potential in many fields and textile/composites industry are not an exception. Giving their extraordinary properties, Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) are excellent candidates for providing new functionalities to fibers and composites. In this work, natural fabrics (flax) were functionalized with chitosan (CS) based polymeric formulations of GNPs to develop fibrous systems with electrical properties as well as other functionalities. One of the greatest disadvantages of using carbon-based materials for fabrics’ impregnation is their difficult dispersion. Therefore, several polymers were used as matrices, binding and dispersive agents including chitosan, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and glycerol. All the systems were characterized using several techniques that demonstrated the presence and incorporation of the GNPs onto the composites. Besides their characterization, considering their use as smart materials for monitoring and sensing applications, electrical properties were also evaluated. The highest value obtained for electrical conductivity was 0.04 S m−1 using 2% of GNPs. Furthermore, piezoresistive behavior was observed with Gauge Factor (GF) of 1.89 using 0.5% GNPs. Additionally, UV (ultraviolet) protection ability and hydrophobicity were analyzed, confirming the multifunctional behavior of the developed systems extending their potential of application in several areas.

scholarly journals Effect of GNPs on the Piezoresistive, Electrical and Mechanical Properties of PHA and PLA Films

Fibers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Mármol ◽  
Usha Kiran Sanivada ◽  
Raul Fangueiro
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Polyethylene Glycol ◽  
Polylactic Acid ◽  
Cellulose Nanocrystals ◽  
Graphene Nanoplatelets ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Solvent Casting ◽  
Nanoparticle Distribution ◽  
Primary Focus

Sustainability has become the primary focus for researchers lately. Biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and polylactic acid (PLA) are biocompatible and biodegradable. Introducing piezoresistive response in the films produced by PLA and PHA by adding nanoparticles can be interesting. Hence, a study was performed to evaluate the mechanical, electrical and piezoresistive response of films made from PHA and PLA. The films were produced by solvent casting, and they were reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) at different nanoparticle concentrations (from 0.15 to 15 wt.%). Moreover, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as reinforcing elements and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as plasticizers were added. After the assessment of the nanoparticle distribution, the films were subjected to tests such as tensile, electrical conductivity and piezoresistive response. The dispersion was found to be good in PLA films and there exist some agglomerations in PHA films. The results suggested that the incorporation of GNPs enhanced the mechanical properties until 0.75 wt.% and they reduced thereon. The addition of 1% CNCs and 20% PEG in 15 wt.% GNPs’ tensile values deteriorated further. The PHA films showed better electrical conductivity compared to the PLA films for the same GNPs wt.%. Gauge factor (GF) values of 6.30 and 4.31 were obtained for PHA and PLA, respectively.

scholarly journals Polylactic Acid/Carbon Nanoparticle Composite Filaments for Sensing

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 2580
Author(s):  
Mariana M. Silva ◽  
Paulo E. Lopes ◽  
Yilong Li ◽  
Petra Pötschke ◽  
Fernando N. Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Carbon Nanotube ◽  
Electrical Properties ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Polylactic Acid ◽  
Multiwall Carbon Nanotube ◽  
Acetone Vapor ◽  
Carbon Nanoparticle ◽  
Sensing Applications ◽  
Multiwall Carbon

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bio-based, biodegradable polymer that presents high potential for biomedical and sensing applications. Ongoing works reported in the literature concern mainly applications based on 3D printing, while textile applications are hindered by the limited flexibility of PLA and its composite filaments. In the present work, PLA/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite filaments were produced with enhanced flexibility and electrical conductivity, which may be applied on a textile structure. A biodegradable plasticizer was incorporated in the nanocomposites, aiming at improving MWCNT dispersion and increasing the flexibility of the filaments. Filaments were produced with a range of compositions and their morphology was characterized as well as their thermal, thermomechanical, and electrical properties. Selected compositions were tested for sensing activity using saturated acetone vapor, demonstrating a suitable response and potential for the application in fabrics with sensing capacity.

scholarly journals Smart Fibrous Structures Produced by Electrospinning Using the Combined Effect of PCL/Graphene Nanoplatelets

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1124
Author(s):  
Paola Francavilla ◽  
Diana P. Ferreira ◽  
Joana C. Araújo ◽  
Raul Fangueiro
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Graphene Nanoplatelets ◽  
Electrical Performance ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Piezoresistive Sensor ◽  
Conductive Surface ◽  
External Pressures ◽  
Electrospun Membranes

Over the years, the development of adaptable monitoring systems to be integrated into soldiers’ body gear, making them as comfortable and lightweight as possible (avoiding the use of rigid electronics), has become essential. Electrospun microfibers are a great material for this application due to their excellent properties, especially their flexibility and lightness. Their functionalization with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) makes them a fantastic alternative for the development of innovative conductive materials. In this work, electrospun membranes based on polycaprolactone (PCL) were impregnated with different GNPs concentrations in order to create an electrically conductive surface with piezoresistive behavior. All the samples were properly characterized, demonstrating the homogeneous distribution and the GNPs’ adsorption onto the membrane’s surfaces. Additionally, the electrical performance of the developed systems was studied, including the electrical conductivity, piezoresistive behavior, and Gauge Factor (GF). A maximum electrical conductivity value of 0.079 S/m was obtained for the 2%GNPs-PCL sample. The developed piezoresistive sensor showed high sensitivity to external pressures and excellent durability to repetitive pressing. The best value of GF (3.20) was obtained for the membranes with 0.5% of GNPs. Hence, this work presents the development of a flexible piezoresistive sensor, based on electrospun PCL microfibers and GNPs, utilizing simple methods.

Effect of Gamma Radiation on Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of nanostructured CdHgTe Thin Films

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Babu ◽  
K Mohanraj ◽  
S Chandrasekar ◽  
N Senthil Kumar ◽  
B Mohanbabu
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Electrical Properties ◽  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Glass Substrate ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Optical And Electrical Properties ◽  
Deposition Technique ◽  
Polycrystalline Structure ◽  
Dc Electrical Conductivity

CdHgTe thin films were grown onto glass substrate via the Chemical bath deposition technique. XRD results indicate that a CdHgTe formed with a cubic polycrystalline structure. The crystallinity of CdHgTe thin films is gradually deteriorate with increasing the gamma irradiation. EDS spectrums confirms the presence of Cd, Hg and Te elements. DC electrical conductivity results depicted the conductivity of CdHgTe increase with increasing a gamma ray dosage

Effect of the structure of cellulose acetate membranes on their permeability, electrical conductivity and rejection

1990 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 2933-2939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Hartmut Schwarz ◽  
Vlastimil Kůdela ◽  
Klaus Richau
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Electrical Properties ◽  
Cellulose Acetate ◽  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Cellulose Acetate Membrane ◽  
Structure Parameters ◽  
Dc Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Cellulose Acetate Membranes

Ultrafiltration cellulose acetate membrane can be transformed by annealing into reverse osmosis membranes (RO type). Annealing brings about changes in structural properties of the membranes, accompanied by changes in their permeability behaviour and electrical properties. Correlations between structure parameters and electrochemical properties are shown for the temperature range 20-90 °C. Relations have been derived which explain the role played by the dc electrical conductivity in the characterization of rejection ability of the membranes in the reverse osmosis, i.e. rRO = (1 + exp (A-B))-1, where exp A and exp B are statistically significant correlation functions of electrical conductivity and salt permeation, or of electrical conductivity and water flux through the membrane, respectively.

scholarly journals Anisotropic, Wrinkled, and Crack-Bridging Structure for Ultrasensitive, Highly Selective Multidirectional Strain Sensors

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heng Zhang ◽  
Dan Liu ◽  
Jeng-Hun Lee ◽  
Haomin Chen ◽  
Eunyoung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rational Design ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Human Motion ◽  
Strain Sensors ◽  
Gauge Factor ◽  
Wearable Electronics ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Human Motion Detection ◽  
Sensing Applications ◽  
Anisotropic Structures

AbstractFlexible multidirectional strain sensors are crucial to accurately determining the complex strain states involved in emerging sensing applications. Although considerable efforts have been made to construct anisotropic structures for improved selective sensing capabilities, existing anisotropic sensors suffer from a trade-off between high sensitivity and high stretchability with acceptable linearity. Here, an ultrasensitive, highly selective multidirectional sensor is developed by rational design of functionally different anisotropic layers. The bilayer sensor consists of an aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) array assembled on top of a periodically wrinkled and cracked CNT–graphene oxide film. The transversely aligned CNT layer bridge the underlying longitudinal microcracks to effectively discourage their propagation even when highly stretched, leading to superior sensitivity with a gauge factor of 287.6 across a broad linear working range of up to 100% strain. The wrinkles generated through a pre-straining/releasing routine in the direction transverse to CNT alignment is responsible for exceptional selectivity of 6.3, to the benefit of accurate detection of loading directions by the multidirectional sensor. This work proposes a unique approach to leveraging the inherent merits of two cross-influential anisotropic structures to resolve the trade-off among sensitivity, selectivity, and stretchability, demonstrating promising applications in full-range, multi-axis human motion detection for wearable electronics and smart robotics.

scholarly journals Enhancing Graphene Retention and Electrical Conductivity of Plasma-Sprayed Alumina/Graphene Nanoplatelets Coating by Powder Heat Treatment

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 643
Author(s):  
Xiaoyu Wu ◽  
Shufeng Xie ◽  
Kangwei Xu ◽  
Lei Huang ◽  
Daling Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Ceramic Coatings ◽  
Treatment Temperature ◽  
Graphene Nanoplatelets ◽  
Structural Defects ◽  
Temperature Plasma ◽  
Heat Treated ◽  
Plasma Sprayed

Burning loss of graphene in the high-temperature plasma-spraying process is a critical issue, significantly limiting the remarkable performance improvement in graphene reinforced ceramic coatings. Here, we reported an effective approach to enhance the graphene retention, and thus improve the performance of plasma-sprayed alumina/graphene nanoplatelets (Al2O3/GNPs) coatings by heat treatment of agglomerated Al2O3/GNPs powders. The effect of powder heat treatment on the microstructure, GNPs retention, and electrical conductivity of Al2O3/GNPs coatings were systematically investigated. The results indicated that, with the increase in the powder heat treatment temperature, the plasma-sprayed Al2O3/GNPs coatings exhibited decreased porosity and improved adhesive strength. Thermogravimetric analysis and Raman spectra results indicated that increased GNPs retention from 12.9% to 28.4%, and further to 37.4%, as well as decreased structural defects, were obtained for the AG, AG850, and AG1280 coatings, respectively, which were fabricated by using AG powders without heat treatment, powders heat-treated at 850 °C, and powders heat-treated at 1280 °C. Moreover, the electrical conductivities of AG, AG850, and AG1280 coatings exhibited 3 orders, 4 orders, and 7 orders of magnitude higher than that of Al2O3 coating, respectively. Powder heat treatment is considered to increase the melting degree of agglomerated alumina particles, eventually leaving less thermal energy for GNPs to burn; thus, a high retention amount and structural integrity of GNPs and significantly enhanced electrical conductivity were achieved for the plasma-sprayed Al2O3/GNPs coatings.

scholarly journals Piezoelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting and Sensing Applications: Roadmap for Future Smart Materials

2021 ◽  
pp. 2100864
Author(s):  
Susmriti Das Mahapatra ◽  
Preetam Chandan Mohapatra ◽  
Adrianus Indrat Aria ◽  
Graham Christie ◽  
Yogendra Kumar Mishra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Smart Materials ◽  
Piezoelectric Materials ◽  
Sensing Applications
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