Study Of Carbon Nanotube Composites For Flexible Tactile Sensor

Carbon nanotubes have excellent mechanical strength, electrical conductivity and thermal stability, which are considered to be the optimum filler for polymer composite. In this paper, we introduced the structure, properties and applications of carbon nanotubes in details.Reviewed the latest research progress of tactile sensor and tactile sensitive rubber. In order to obtain materials with better performance, we proposed a new approach:carbon nanotubes/carbon black joint filled conductive rubber.Dispersion is the key problem about the application of carbon nanotubes in polymer composites.The homogeneous dispersion of carbon nanotubes in polymer-matrix can improve the compatibility with the matrix, and enhance the force interaction between them. In this research carbon nanotubes were functionalized through liquid-phase oxidation methods, the samples were characterized by means of FT-IR and SEM, The results shows that:Ultrasonic wave can improve the dispersity of carbon nanotubes in organic solvent. Mixed acid treatment purified the carbon nanotubes, it is also makes the carbon nanotube surface grafting of carboxyl groups, this groups can improve the reactivity of carbon nanotubes.Based on solution blending method, we prepared the CNTs / CB joint filled conductive rubber. The effect results of carbon nanotubes on the conductivity, resistance creep behavior and temperature stability of the sensitive materials were investigated. Analysis shows that:The synergy of carbon nanotubes and carbon black particles would enhance the stability of the conductive network in the conductive rubber. This effect can improve the linearity, hysteresis, and temperature characteristics of the tactile sensor to some extent. The better integrated performance of sensitive rubber was obtained.