Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Based Sensors for Strain Sensing Applications

Sensors (Basel). 2021 Feb 10;21(4):1261. doi: 10.3390/s21041261.

Abstract

The use of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-based sensors for strain-strain applications is showcased in this paper. Extensive use of MWCNTs has been done for the fabrication and implementation of flexible sensors due to their enhanced electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. These nanotubes have been deployed both in pure and composite forms for obtaining highly efficient sensors in terms of sensitivity, robustness, and longevity. Among the wide range of applications that MWCNTs have been exploited for, strain-sensing has been one of the most popular ones due to the high mechanical flexibility of these carbon allotropes. The MWCNT-based sensors have been able to deduce a broad spectrum of macro- and micro-scaled tensions through structural changes. This paper highlights some of the well-approved conjugations of MWCNTs with different kinds of polymers and other conductive nanomaterials to form the electrodes of the strain sensors. It also underlines some of the measures that can be taken in the future to improve the quality of these MWCNT-based sensors for strain-related applications.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes; flexible; multi-walled; sensors; strain.

Publication types

  • Review