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Investigation of directional effects on the electrical conductivity and piezoresistivity of carbon nanotube/polypropylene composites obtained by extrusion

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Abstract

The electrical conductivity and piezoresistivity of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polypropylene (PP) composites obtained by extrusion are investigated, with particular attention to the possible directional effects generated during the extrusion process. This is accomplished by investigating the electrical and electromechanical responses of the nanocomposites at three MWCNT weight concentrations (3, 4 and 5 wt%) in three directions, viz. the extrusion direction, transverse to extrusion (in-plane) and through thickness. Higher electrical conductivity in the extrusion direction was more evident for the lowest MWCNT content. However, the piezoresistive sensitivity was similar in all directions. Films with 4 wt% showed the highest piezoresistive sensitivity, reaching gage factors of ~ 4.5 for strains between 0 and 0.8%, and ~ 10.2 for strains between 1 and 3%. After an initial drop in the electrical resistance, concomitant with stress relaxation, the changes in electrical resistance showed large reproducibility. Digital image correlation conducted during cyclic piezoresistive testing at 0.8% strain indicates small accumulation of local plasticity as the number of cycles increases, especially in zones near the electrodes. These irreversible changes in the material are expected to trigger the permanent changes in the electrical resistance measured.

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Acknowledgements

This material is based upon research supported by the US Office of Naval Research Global under award number N62909-19-1-2119. AB acknowledges CONACYT support for his doctoral scholarship. The authors are thankful to Carlos Cupul-Manzano and Miguel Rivero-Ayala for their diligent support with composite manufacturing, as well as to Santiago Duarte-Aranda for SEM imaging. Authors also acknowledge the DIC technical assistance of Cesar Perez-Aranda and Pedro Ayuso-Faber, as well as to Mario Bonillas for the artistic video clip edition.

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  1. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán A.C., Unidad de Materiales, Calle 43, No.130 x 32 y 34, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, 97205, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

    A. Balam, R. H. Cruz-Estrada & F. Avilés

  2. Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Facultad de Ingeniería, Av. Industrias No Contaminantes Por Periférico Norte, AP 150 Cordemex, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

    A. Castillo-Atoche

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  1. A. Balam
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Correspondence to F. Avilés.

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Balam, A., Cruz-Estrada, R.H., Castillo-Atoche, A. et al. Investigation of directional effects on the electrical conductivity and piezoresistivity of carbon nanotube/polypropylene composites obtained by extrusion. J Mater Sci 56, 14570–14586 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-021-06223-3

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