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Multifunctional flexible and stretchable polyurethane/carbon nanotube strain sensor for human breath monitoring
Author(s) -
Slobodian Petr,
Danova Romana,
Olejnik Robert,
Matyas Jiří,
Münster Lukas
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.4621
Subject(s) - materials science , gauge factor , composite number , thermoplastic polyurethane , composite material , polyurethane , carbon nanotube , deformation (meteorology) , strain gauge , nanotube , graphene , nanotechnology , elastomer , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , fabrication
Flexible and stretchable polyurethane/carbon nanotube composite with strain detection ability was used for human breath monitoring. The composite material consisted of a network of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and thermoplastic high elastic polyurethane. It was found that elongation of the composite led to a macroscopic increase in electrical resistance, which can be used as a principle for applied strain detection. This detection was reversible, durable, and sensitive with gauge factor reaching very promising value, as, for example, ~46 at applied deformation of 8.7%. Further, the composite could be elongated to very large extend of deformation without discontinuity in measured resistance change reaching gauge factor ~ 450 at composite mechanical break at ~300% of strain. Sensor durability was also confirmed by sine wave deformation cycling when any decrease in the sensor properties for more than 10 3 cycles was observed. Simultaneously, the prepared composite possessed other utility properties also and was considered as multifunctional when it was tested as an organic solvent vapor sensor, an element for Joule heating and finally as a microstrip antenna.