Characterization of Carbon Nanotube Strain Sensors Using Experimental Tests and Percolation Modeling

The objective of this study was to compare the strain sensing response of a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based thin film percolation model with experimental test results. In particular, this research investigated how CNT concentrations affected the electrical and strain sensing properties of the bulk film. First, airbrushing was employed for fabricating multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-latex thin films. The films were characterized by randomly oriented CNTs dispersed within a latex matrix. The concentration of MWNTs was varied during fabrication so that the electrical properties and strain sensitivities of these films could be tested and characterized. On the other hand, a two-dimensional percolation-based numerical model of CNT-based thin films was also implemented in MATLAB. The model was subjected to tensile-compressive cyclic tests, and the results are compared to experimental data.