Recent Advances in Optical Characterization of SR/MWCNTs Nanostructures for Emerging Piezoelectric Sensors

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have the potential to change electrical, optical, and rheological properties of traditional polymers applications. This paper describes optical characterization of SRMWCNT nanostructures for emerging piezoelectric sensors. SEM images were used to characterize the dispersion of MWCNTs inside the rubber silicone. Under various wavelengths, novel SR/MWCNT nanocomposites materials have been characterized using FTIR spectra analysis and UV-2300 double beam spectrophotometer. A new design of SR/MWCNT nanocomposites has also been experimentally investigated for the effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes on extinction coefficient and kinetic energy. As results of measurements, MWCNTs enhanced the absorbance and reflectance of silicon rubber sensors in piezoelectric applications over the whole wavelength range. In this study, MWCNT has been successfully used to control optical parameters up to 25 % in virgin piezoelectric sensors and about 30 % in long-run operation. Finally, it has been presented a comparative study of optical properties, energy functions, coefficients, and indices of conventional silicon rubber and SR/MWCNT nanocomposites.