A self-healing flexible sensor based on silicone rubber with synergistic effect of coordination and hydrogen bonds

Xin Chai, Fan Fei, Wentong Lu, Peilong Zhou, Danzhen Duojie, Jincheng Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

With the development of society, silicone rubber-based flexible sensors are frequently used in our daily life, such as monitoring people's physical health, tracking movement and activities, and improving rehabilitation processes. However, high-frequency use can also compromise the material structure and even impair the service life of the product. In this study, a novel type of self-healing flexible sensing material, PBDMS/PDMS/mMWCNTs, was prepared by first preparing polyborosiloxane (PBDMS) with boric acid and hydroxyl silicone oil, and then mixing it with 107 room temperature curing silicone rubber (PDMS) as a matrix and using silane coupling agent KH560 modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (mMWCNTs) as fillers. PBDMS/PDMS/mMWCNT was constructed to form a dynamic crosslinked network, resulting in a high self-healing efficiency (up to 80% in 4 h at room temperature). mMWCNTs, on the other hand, reinforced the mechanical properties (tensile strength of 0.46 MPa and elongation at break of 120%) better than the most commonly used reinforcing agent in the industry, SiO2 nanoparticles. At the same time, mMWCNTs dropped on both ends of the surface of the substrate, and the internal network formed a ‘sandwiched’ structure, which can endow the composite with excellent thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)96-107
Number of pages12
JournalPlastics, Rubber and Composites
Volume54
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2025
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • flexible sensing materials
  • multiple dynamic key networks
  • self-healing
  • silicone material

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A self-healing flexible sensor based on silicone rubber with synergistic effect of coordination and hydrogen bonds'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this