Fabrication and Evaluation of the Novel Elastomer Based Nanocomposite with Pressure Sensing Function

Abstract

A novel organic/inorganic composite material which can work as a pressure sensor has been synthesized. This composite basically contains nano-sized carbon particles as conductive filler into an elastomer matrix to achieve pressure sensitive function. The superior pressure sensitive effect was showed at 0.88vol% of carbon particles while in the previous study the micro-sized carbon particle was required above 30vol%. In addition, nano-sized silica particles were added to reinforce electrical insulation properties and to improve the pressure sensing reliability of the composite. The addition of the surface modified silica improved better both the sensing performance and the mechanical strength than the composite containing non-modified silica particles. These polymer-based sensors have economical advantage due to low cost production regardless of the high performance.