Self-Assembly CNTs@PANi Coffee Rings on Poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) Triblock Copolymer for Largely...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing advanced materials with enhanced conductivity and stretchability is crucial for flexible electronics.
• Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polyaniline (PANi) offer promising conductive properties.
• Poly(styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) (SEBS) triblock copolymer provides excellent elasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize CNTs@PANi/SEBS bilayer composite films.
• To investigate the self-assembly behavior and structural properties of the nanocomposites.
• To evaluate the conductivity, stretchability, and electrochemical properties of the prepared films.

Main Methods:

• In-situ oxidation polymerization of aniline to form CNTs@PANi nanocomposites.
• Preparation of CNTs@PANi and SEBS dispersions using a mixed solvent system (toluene/tetrahydrofuran).
• Fabrication of bilayer composite films and characterization of their structure, morphology, and conductivity.

Main Results:

• CNTs@PANi self-assembled into an interconnected coffee ring structure on the SEBS matrix due to solvent phase separation.
• The bilayer composite film demonstrated excellent stretchability and retained conductivity under 100% strain, capable of lighting an LED.
• Electrochemical tests revealed significant heterogeneity in the bilayer film, with distinct impedance characteristics for the functional layer and SEBS matrix.

Conclusions:

• The developed CNTs@PANi/SEBS bilayer films exhibit superior stretchability and self-assembly capabilities.
• The films maintain electrical conductivity under significant strain, highlighting their potential for flexible electronic applications.
• The observed heterogeneity contributes to unique electrochemical properties and corrosion resistance mechanisms.