Fabrication and characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotube for conductive polymer composite

Abstract

Dry surface electrocardiogram electrode that gives the flexibility and conductivity have been studied before by other researchers using conductive polymer composite. This paper presents the development of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) as filler and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as polymer matrix. Solution mixing has been used to synthesize the MWCNT in Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) for better dispersion before combining with PDMS which then the mixture were poured into mold. To investigate the material and electrical properties of polymer composite fabricated electrode, Raman Spectroscopy Analysis was used. It was found that, the Raman band for fabricated electrodes have peaks at D-band (1351 cm-1), G-band (1593 cm-1) but there was no peak at 2D-band. This Raman Spectroscopy also being measured for MWCNT powder and pure PDMS in order to distinguish the shape of Raman Graph. From the results obtained, the MWCNT/PDMS composite electrode shows similar shape to pure PDMS Raman spectrum. This indicates the fabricated electrode is not conductive and more inclined towards insulating properties. The electrical test conforms well to the Raman results which shows non-conductive behavior. Further studies need to be executed to determine the optimized weight ratio between MWCNT and PDMS.