Silicone rubber nanocomposites containing a small amount of hybrid fillers with enhanced electrical sensitivity

A conductive silicone rubber (SR) composite, filled with both carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon black (CB) is prepared by a simple ball milling method. Because of the good dispersion and synergistic effects of CNT and CB, the SR composite (SR with 2.5 phr CB and 1.0 phr CNT hybrid fillers) shows improvement in mechanical properties such as tensile strength and strain to failure. As well, due to the assembly of conductive pathways generated by the CNT and CB, the nanocomposite becomes highly conductive at a comparatively low concentration, with high sensitivity for tensile and compressive stress. Long-term measurement of properties shows that the SR composite maintains the excellent electrical properties under different strain histories. These outstanding properties show that the SR composite has potential applications in tensile and pressure sensors.

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► Good dispersion of 1.0 phr CNT and 2.5 phr CB in SR achieved by simple ball milling.
► SR nanocomposite has improvement in tensile strength and strain to failure.
► SR nanocomposite becomes highly conductive at a comparatively low concentration.
► SR nanocomposite has high sensitivity for tensile and compressive stress.
► SR nanocomposite has potential applications in tensile and pressure sensors.