title: Stretchable and flexible high-strain sensors made using carbon nanotubes and graphite films on natural rubber.
abstract: Conventional metallic strain sensors are flexible, but they can sustain maximum strains of only ~5%, so there is a need for sensors that can bear high strains for multifunctional applications. In this study, we report stretchable and flexible high-strain sensors that consist of entangled and randomly distributed multiwall carbon nanotubes or graphite flakes on a natural rubber substrate. Carbon nanotubes/graphite flakes were sandwiched in natural rubber to produce these high-strain sensors. Using field emission scanning electron microscopy, the morphology of the films for both the carbon nanotube and graphite sensors were assessed under different strain conditions (0% and 400% strain). As the strain was increased, the films fractured, resulting in an increase in the electrical resistance of the sensor; this change was reversible. Strains of up to 246% (graphite sensor) and 620% (carbon nanotube sensor) were measured; these values are respectively ~50 and ~120 times greater than those of conventional metallic strain sensors.
authors.affiliation: Materials Science Research Center, Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiangmai University, Chiangmai 50200, Thailand. t.sreenivasulu87@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sreenivasulu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tadakaluru
authors.affiliation: Materials Science Research Center, Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiangmai University, Chiangmai 50200, Thailand. wiradej.t@cmu.ac.th.
authors.forename: Wiradej
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Thongsuwan
authors.affiliation: Materials Science Research Center, Department of Physics and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiangmai University, Chiangmai 50200, Thailand. pisith.s@cmu.ac.th.
authors.forename: Pisith
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singjai
mesh_terms: D004548:Elasticity; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D006108:Graphite