학술논문

Optimization of Piezoresistive Response of Elastomeric Porous Structures Based on Carbon-Based Hybrid Fillers Created by Selective Laser Sintering
Document Type
article
Source
Polymers, Vol 15, Iss 22, p 4404 (2023)
Subject
selective laser sintering (SLS)
thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)
graphene (GE)
strain sensors
Organic chemistry
QD241-441
Language
English
ISSN
2073-4360
Abstract
Recently, piezoresistive sensors made by 3D printing have gained considerable interest in the field of wearable electronics due to their ultralight nature, high compressibility, robustness, and excellent electromechanical properties. In this work, building on previous results on the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) of porous systems based on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and graphene (GE)/carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as carbon conductive fillers, the effect of variables such as thickness, diameter, and porosity of 3D printed disks is thoroughly studied with the aim of optimizing their piezoresistive performance. The resulting system is a disk with a diameter of 13 mm and a thickness of 0.3 mm endowed with optimal reproducibility, sensitivity, and linearity of the electrical signal. Dynamic compressive strength tests conducted on the proposed 3D printed sensors reveal a linear piezoresistive response in the range of 0.1–2 N compressive load. In addition, the optimized system is characterized at a high load frequency (2 Hz), and the stability and sensitivity of the electrical signal are evaluated. Finally, an application test demonstrates the ability of this system to be used as a real-time wearable pressure sensor for applications in prosthetics, consumer products, and personalized health-monitoring systems.