Anita Grozdanov, Ana Tomova, Perica Paunovic, Aleksandar Dimitrov

 

Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy – University Ss Cyril and Methodius

 

Polymer composites with carbon nanotubes are fast growing class of materials since carbon nanotubes exhibit a high aspect ration, unique electrical, mechanical and structural properties which contribute to utilize these characteristics for engineering applications such as actuators, hydrogen storage, chemical sensors and nanoelectronic devices. Several papers have been published utilizing CNTs as the sensing material in pressure, flow, thermal, gas, optical, mass, strain, stress, chemical and biological sensors. Amongst many of its superior electro-mechanical properties, piezoresistive effect in CNTs is attractive for sensor design. When CNTs are subjected to a mechanical strain, a change in its chirality leads to modulation of its conductance.

A biocompatible polymer matrices PMMA and PCL  have been used to provide good interfacial bonding between carbon nanotubes. MWCNT (d=30-50 nm, purity>95%) have been used for preparation of polymer based nanocomposites, PCL/MWCNT and PMMA/MWCNT. Nanocomposites were prepared via the mixing of the MWCNT and polymer in a dichloromethane solution for 24 h. Characterization of the nanocomposite films was performed by DSC, TGA, WAX, FTIR and SEM, as well as mechanical and electrical measurements. Sensor activity was followed  through the changes in the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite films. The results indicate that introducing MWCNT into polymer matrix significantly changes have been found in the properties of the obtained nanocomposites.