Facile Fabrication of Multifunctional Poly(ethylene-co-octene)/Carbon Nanotube Foams Based on Tunable Conductive Network

Fabrication of Textured Ni-Coated Carbon Tubes for a Flexible Strain Sensor: Effect of the Device Elastic Modulus on Sensor Performance

The exploration of flexible resistive sensors with excellent performance remains a challenge. In this paper, a nickel-coated carbon tube with a textured structure was prepared as a conductive sensitive material and inserted into the poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) polymer; interestingly, the sensor performance was controlled by the elastic modulus of the matrix resin. The results show that Pd²⁺ may be adsorbed by the active groups on the surface of a plant fiber as a catalytic center for the reduction of Ni²⁺. After 300 °C annealing, the inner plant fiber would be carbonized and attached to the outside of the nickel tube; to be precise, the textured Ni-encapsulated C tube was fabricated successfully. It is worth noting that the C tube serves as a layer of support for the external Ni coating, providing sufficient mechanical strength. In addition, resistance sensors with different properties were prepared by controlling the elasticity modulus of the PDMS polymer by introducing different contents of curing agents. The limit uniaxial tensile strain was enhanced from 42 to 49% and sensitivity reduced from 0.2 to 2.0% with the elasticity modulus of the matrix resin increasing from 0.32 to 2.2 MPa. As expected, the sensor is obviously appropriate for the detection of elbow joints, human speaking, and human joints with the reduction of the elasticity modulus of the matrix resin. To be precise, the optimal elastic modulus of the sensor matrix resin would facilitate the improvement of its sensitivity to monitor different human behaviors.

Elucidating the Conducting Mechanisms in a Flexible Piezoresistive Pressure Sensor Using Reduced Graphene Oxide Film in Silicone Elastomer

Sensors as a composite film made from reduced graphene oxide (rGO) structures filled with a silicone elastomer are soft and flexible, making them suitable for wearable applications. The sensors exhibit three distinct conducting regions, denoting different conducting mechanisms when pressure is applied. This article aims to elucidate the conduction mechanisms in these sensors made from this composite film. It was deduced that the conducting mechanisms are dominated by Schottky/thermionic emission and Ohmic conduction.

Progress in the Foaming of Polymer-based Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Composites by Supercritical CO2

As a critical action plan formulated for peaking carbon dioxide emissions, polymeric electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials based on CO₂ foaming technology have recently been attracting widespread attention in both research and industry, attributable to their efficient use of CO₂ , high specific strength, corrosion resistance and low-cost characteristics. In the past decade, the emergence of novel design concepts and preparation techniques for CO₂ foaming technology has led to the development of new high-performance EMI shielding materials in this field. This review summarizes the research progress made to date on the fabrication of EMI shielding composite foams by supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂ ) foaming. We also explore the structure-activity relationships between the component/distribution and EMI shielding properties. Additionally, the application prospects and development challenges of new EMI shielding composite foams are described.