Polymer Nanocomposite Materials

In addition to dispersion, the concentration of conductive filler in polymer matrix is also an important factor affecting the preparation and performance of CPC. Although some methods have been used to decrease the percolation value, there are many limitations for each structure design of the CPCs. For instance, pressure and temperature should be delicately controlled for construction of the segregated structure. Furthermore, CPCs with a segregated structure usually exhibit inferior mechanical properties. Coating conductive nanofillers on the surface of polymer nanofibers or the skeleton of the polymer foams could avoid filler aggregation and increase the electrical conductivity, but how to achieve the good interfacial interaction between nanofillers and polymer scaffold and ensure the surface stability and durability is still challenging.

The flexibility, light weight, and controllable network structure endow the CPCs with potential applications in sensing including strain sensors, piezoresistive sensors, gas sensors, and temperature sensors. With the development of artificial intelligence (e.g. electronic skin and human–machine interface), skin adhesive and mechanically flexible CPCs with multi-functionality will become a new hotspot.

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