Modifying Native Nanocellulose Aerogels with Carbon Nanotubes for Mechanoresponsive Conductivity and Pressure Sensing

• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201300256
• Publication Date: 2013-03-01T18:50:22Z
• Authors: Miao Wang; Ilya V. Anoshkin; Albert G. Nasibulin; Juuso T. Korhonen; Jani Seitsonen; Jaakko Pere; Esko I. Kauppinen; Robin H. A. Ras; Olli Ikkala
• Keywords: Nanocellulose; Carbon nanotube actuators

Mechanically excellent native cellulose nanofibers that are cleaved from plant cell walls have been modified by functionalized few-walled carbon nanotubes for hybrid nanofiber/nanotube aerogels. They show elastic mechanical behavior in combination with reversible electrical response under compression allowing responsive conductivity and pressure sensing. The concept combines wide availability of nanocellulosics functionality synergistically.