Polymer-based carbon-nanotube film with reversible signal tracking capabilities

This study presents a polymer-based carbon-nanotube (CNT) sensing polymer with reversible signal tracking capabilities. The sensing polymer was prepared by dispersing multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) and silver nanoparticles into the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer matrix. Before curing the PDMS prepolymer, MWCNTs were aligned in the prepolymer, using the dielectrophoresis (DEP) technique. Under an external force, the polymer increased and retained resistivity, which could be recovered to its original value by repeating DEP. Similar resistivity behaviors induced by temperature elevation and DEP were also observed. This study also presents the measured performance and repeatability. The potential applications of the sensing polymer include reusable inertia switches, footstep tracking carpets, and temperature switches.

► A polymer-based CNT sensing material with reversible signal tracking capabilities. ► A process of dispersing and aligning CNTs into PDMS matrix using DEP technique. ► Recovery of the retained sensing signals by repeating DEP. ► Potential applications including inertia/temperature switch and footstep tracking.