On the use of carbon nanotubes to develop durable structural electrodes for self-sensing applications

Abstract

This paper reports an experimental investigation on embedded polyurethane (PUR) electrodes into a carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite to enable the dependable use of composites as a piezoresistive sensors, among other uses, and pave the way towards advanced structural health monitoring (SHM). To be able to use polyurethane as electrodes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used as fillers in PUR to increase its electrical conductivity. Various concentrations of MWCNTs in PUR were tested to reveal the optimum synthesis. This was conducted by performing mechanical and electrical property tests of the electrodes, studying the adhesion capabilities between composite matrix and polyurethane electrode and carrying out load-unload testing where the composite acts as a strain sensor.