Effect of carbon nanotube length on the piezoresistive response of poly (methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites
- F. Avilés(corresponding author),
- A. I. Oliva,
- G. Ventura,
- A. May-Pat,
- Centro de Investigacion Cientifica de Yucatan,
- Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional,
Publication Information
Output type
Original language
EnglishPages from-to (Number of pages)
Pages 394-402 (9 pages)Journal (Volume, Issue Number)
European Polymer Journal (Volume 110)Publication milestones
- Published - 01/01/2019
Publication status
ISSN
0014-3057Publication IDs
- Scopus: 85057729873
Abstract
Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were systematically fragmented using high density ultrasonic energy and used as fillers of a poly (methyl methacrylate) matrix (PMMA). MWCNT fragmentation was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Dedicated MWCNT length measurements yielded a log-normal statistical distribution, with mean value of 1.33 μm for the as-received MWCNTs and 0.66 μm for the fragmented MWCNTs. Higher electrical percolation threshold and lower electrical conductivity were obtained for MWCNT/PMMA composites (0.01–1 wt.% MWCNT concentration) using the fragmented MWCNTs. Higher electro-mechanical (piezoresistive) sensitivity under tensile tests was measured for PMMA nanocomposites with fragmented MWCNTs, which was explained by a competition of mechanisms related to the MWCNT length.