Buckypaper/DYAD/Buckypaper and Buckypaper/DYAD/ (polyaniline/multiwalled carbon nanotube) composite sensors: Preparation and damping properties characterization

Buckypaper/DYAD/Buckypaper and Buckypaper/DYAD/(polyaniline/multiwalled carbon nanotube) composites films were made by frit compression method and layer-by-layer attachment method. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the morphology properties of polyaniline/multiwalled carbon nanotube and the results showed that carbon nanotubes were well dispersed in the polymer matrix. Free vibration test results showed that the double-sided attachment of the sensor had higher damping ratio values than single-sided attachment. Also, damping ratios were higher when the composite sensor was placed at the beam's clamped end. Furthermore, the Buckypaper/DYAD/(polyaniline/multiwalled carbon nanotube) combination exhibited higher damping ratios than the other cases tested. Thus, these samples have the potential of being simultaneously strain sensors and dampers