Processing and modeling of multi-walled carbon nanotube/styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) composites for force sensing

A novel stress-sensitive nanocomposite that can be used as flexible force sensors with tailored sensitivity was fabricated. The nanocomposite consists of MWNTs as conductive filler and SBS as polymer matrix. Some electrical and mechanical properties of MWNT/SBS films were measured. A typical percolation phenomenon was observed with the MWNT/SBS composites. The elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of the composites with different MWNT concentration showed no statistically significant differences. In a low stress range, the resistance of the MWNT/SBS composite film decreased rapidly with stress increasing. A modified piezoresistivity model based on simplified GEME was then conducted to predict the resistance change of the nanocomposite film in low stress range.