Highly stretchable conductors based on biobased elastomers and conductive nanoparticles

近年来，材料科学与工程、制造工程、电子电气工程等领域的研究人员对具有高延伸性和高导电性的材料产生了浓厚的兴趣。阻碍研究的一个因素是，大多数现有材料不具备这些基本特性，这在很大程度上限制了下一代技术的发展。该项目旨在利用生物基构建块合成新型热塑性弹性体，并通过不同的设计，通过添加导电粒子，如碳纳米管或石墨烯，在表面处理或不处理的情况下引入导电性。通过扩展可伸缩导体的知识，可以在电子设备、能源设备、传感器、可穿戴医疗设备和软机器人等各种应用方面取得进展。目的1：利用生物基团块合成新型热塑性弹性体，并通过红外光谱、核磁共振、凝胶渗透色谱、差示扫描量热法、力学测试等手段对其进行表征。目的2：以石墨烯或碳纳米管为原料，制备高导电性的功能化纳米粒子，并用X射线衍射、傅立叶变换红外光谱、热重分析、拉曼光谱、原子力显微镜、数字万用仪等手段对其进行表征。将测量它们的机械和导电性能，包括可伸长性和循环性能，以及随不同应变和/或弯曲角度的导电性。将调查材料、设计和性能之间的关系。目的4：通过制备原型器件并对其性能进行评估，展示这些新型可伸缩导体的潜在应用。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。通过实施这一项目，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的几个研究领域相一致。第一个是聚合物材料，特别是成果R4：寻求高效和可持续地管理资源。本主题涵盖的另一个研究领域是传感器和仪器，主要是成果H5：寻求开发可穿戴传感器。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.