A hybrid computational scheme on electromechanically coupled behaviors of aligned MWCNT/polymer nanocomposite sensors with strain-dependent tunneling effect

• Published in: Archive of applied mechanics (1991) Vol. 93; no. 12; pp. 4305 - 4325
• Main Authors: Xia, Xiaodong, Niekamp, Rainer, Brands, Dominik, Schröder, Jörg
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-12-2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Classical Mechanics; Elastic properties; Electric properties; Engineering; Inclusions; Micromechanics; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Nanocomposites; Original; Polymers; Sensitivity; Sensors; Simulation; Strain; Theoretical and Applied Mechanics; Hybrid computational scheme; Nanocomposite sensor; Strain-dependent tunneling effect; Multi-scale microstructure; Electromechanical coupling
• ISSN: 0939-1533; 1432-0681
• DOI: 10.1007/s00419-023-02493-2

The sensitivity of randomly distributed multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polymer nanocomposite sensors has been extensively investigated, while that of aligned nanocomposite sensors is to be explored. In this paper, a novel hybrid computational scheme is presented for the transversely isotropic sensing behaviors of aligned MWCNT/polymer nanocomposite sensors combining micromechanics and finite element simulations. Specifically, the strain-dependent tunneling effect and multi-scale simulation of underlying heterogeneous microstructures are analyzed cooperatively to quantitatively illustrate the electromechanical coupling phenomenon of strain sensors. First, the effective elastic and electric properties of coated MWCNT with the weak interface connection are calculated by the Mori–Tanaka method on the microscopic scale. Then, the mesoscopic representative volume element (RVE) is established by coated MWCNTs as inclusions and polymer as the matrix. The tunneling effect and electric damage process are implemented with a proposed strain-dependent tunneling distance. Next, the macroscopic strain sensing behaviors of homogenized RVEs are evaluated with finite element simulations. The predicted resistance change ratio and sensitivity of aligned MWCNT/polymer nanocomposite sensors are both consistent with the experimental data over a wide loading range. This research has demonstrated the high sensing performance of aligned MWCNT/polymer nanocomposite sensors along the preferred direction.