Highly stretchable conductors based on biobased elastomers and conductive nanoparticles

近年来，具有高拉伸性和导电性的材料引起了来自不同领域的研究人员的极大兴趣，包括材料科学与工程，制造工程和电子与电气工程。研究的一个障碍在于大多数现有材料不具有这些基本特性，这在很大程度上限制了下一代技术的发展。该项目旨在使用生物基构建块合成新型热塑性弹性体，并通过添加导电颗粒（如碳纳米管或石墨烯）引入导电性，通过不同的设计进行或不进行表面处理。通过扩展可拉伸导体的知识，可以实现电子设备，能源设备，传感器，可穿戴医疗设备和软机器人等各种应用的进步。目标一：利用生物基结构单元合成新型热塑性弹性体，并通过傅里叶变换红外光谱、核磁共振、凝胶渗透色谱、差示扫描量热、力学测试等手段对其进行表征。目的2：使用石墨烯或碳纳米管制备高度导电的功能化纳米颗粒，并通过X射线衍射、傅里叶变换红外光谱、热重分析、拉曼光谱、原子力显微镜、数字多测法等。目的3：基于从上述表征结果中选择的最佳弹性体和纳米材料，结合各种设计，制造高度可拉伸和高度导电的导体。将测量它们的机械和导电性能，包括拉伸性和循环性能以及导电性与不同应变和/或弯曲角度的关系。将研究材料、设计和性能之间的关系。目标4：这些新型可拉伸导体的潜在应用将通过制备原型器件和评估其性能来证明。这些设备可能包括可拉伸电子设备、可穿戴医疗设备和应变传感器。通过实施该项目，将在可拉伸导体、聚合物、纳米材料和先进制造领域取得进一步进展。该项目与EPSRC的几个研究领域保持一致。第一个是高分子材料，特别是成果R4：寻求有效和可持续的资源管理。该主题涵盖的另一个研究领域是传感器和仪器，主要成果H5：希望开发可穿戴传感器。进一步的研究领域石墨烯和碳纳米技术，材料工程-复合材料和能源应用材料，即成果P5：寻求向更可持续的社会转型，也可以包括在该项目的范围内。

In recent years', materials showing high stretchability and conductivity have attracted significant interests from researchers from different fields, including Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering and Electronic and Electrical Engineering. A hindrance to research lies in most existing materials not having these essential properties, largely limiting the development of next generation technologies. This project aims to synthesise novel thermoplastic elastomers using bio-based building blocks and introduce conductivity through the addition of conducting particles, such as carbon nanotubes or graphene, with or without surface treatment, by different designs. Through expanding the knowledge on stretchable conductors, advancements in various applications such as electronic devices, energy devices, sensors, wearable medical devices and soft robotics can be achieved. Objective 1: To synthesise novel thermoplastic elastomers using biobased building blocks, and characterise them by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical tests, etc. Objective 2: To prepare highly conductive functionalised nanoparticles using graphene or carbon nanotubes, and characterise them by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, digital multimetry, etc.Objective 3: To manufacture highly stretchable and highly conductive conductors based on the optimal elastomers and nanomaterials selected from the above characterisation results, in combination with various designs. Their mechanical and conductive properties, including stretchability and cyclic properties as well as conductivity versus different strains and/or bending angles, will be measured. The relationships between the material, design and properties will be investigated. Objective 4: The potential applications of these novel stretchable conductors will be demonstrated through preparing prototype devices and evaluating their performance. These devices may include stretchable electronics, wearable medical devices and strain sensors.Through carrying out this project further advancements in the fields of stretchable conductors, polymers, nanomaterials and advanced manufacturing will be made. This projects aligns with several of EPSRC's research areas. The first being Polymer Materials, specifically outcome R4: looking to manage resources efficiently and sustainably. Another research area covered by this topic is Sensors and Instrumentation, predominantly outcome H5: looking to develop wearable sensors. Further research areas Graphene and Carbon Nanotechnology, Materials Engineering-Composites and Materials for Energy Applications, namely outcome P5: looking to transform to a more sustainable society, can also be included in the scope of this project.