Pressure-sensitive properties of carbon nanotubes/bismuth sulfide composite materials

Abstract

In this work, the pressure-sensitive properties of pure multi-walled carbon nanotubes and multi-walled carbon nanotubes/bismuth sulfide composite are investigated and compared. Composite was prepared by 50 wt% of each ingredient. Sandwich-type pressure-sensitive pellets (Ag/CNT/Ag and Ag/CNT-Bi2S3/Ag) of 2 mm in thickness and 15 mm in diameter were fabricated at a pressure of 6894.8 kNm−2 by Mortar and Pestle/Hydraulic Press technique. Both sides of the prepared samples were painted with silver paste to provide low resistance electrical contacts. Both the samples exhibited decrease in direct current resistance with the increase in the applied pressure (0–16.9 kNm−2). However, decrease in the resistance of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/bismuth sulfide composite was 1.2 times and sensitivity was 1.07 times higher than the pure carbon nanotubes. Experimental results were compared with simulated results that showed excellent agreement with each other.