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Graphene‐Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes for Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites and Their Improved Strain Sensing Properties
Author(s) -
Eswaraiah Varrla,
Jyothirmayee Aravind S. S.,
Balasubramaniam Krishnan,
Ramaprabhu Sundara
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201300242
Subject(s) - graphene , carbon nanotube , materials science , surface modification , nanocomposite , polymer , composite material , gauge factor , composite number , dispersion (optics) , polymer nanocomposite , conductive polymer , adhesive , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , fabrication , layer (electronics) , medicine , alternative medicine , physics , optics , pathology , engineering
Functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is essential for the dispersion of CNTs in polymer matrices due to their inherence. However, conventional functional groups are insulating in nature, thereby destroying the basic structure of the CNTs and their electrical conductivity due to the harsh and long‐period acid treatments. Hence, a new method of functionalization is essential. In this article, a poly(vinyliedene fluoride) (PVDF) composite comprising graphene wrapped CNTs as a conducting filler is described. A strain‐gauge factor of ≈20 at low strain levels (0.1%) is with a 3 wt% graphene wrapped CNT hybrid in PVDF, which overwhelms conventional metal foil strain gauges as well as functionalized CNT or functionalized graphene based polymer composites for strain sensing.