Self-sensing and interfacial evaluation of Ni nanowire/polymer composites using electro-micromechanical technique

Abstract Self-sensing and interfacial evaluation of Ni nanowire/polymer composites were investigated using electro-micromechanical technique, which can be used for a feasible sensing measurement on tensile and compressive loading/consequent unloading, temperature, and humidity. Mechanical properties of Ni nanowire with different aspect ratio and adding contents in either epoxy or silicone composites were measured indirectly using electro-pullout test under uniform and non-uniform cyclic loadings. Comparing apparent modulus with the conventional mechanical tensile modulus of Ni nanowire/epoxy composites, the trends were consistent with each other. Thermodynamic work of adhesion, W a and apparent modulus were correlated with adding Ni contents and showed a deviation. Ni nanowire/epoxy composites showed the sensing response on humidity and temperature. Self-sensing on applied tensile and compressive loading/unloading was also responded for Ni nanowire/silicone composites via electrical contact resistivity showing the opposite trend between tension and compression. It can be due to the different electrically interconnecting mechanisms of dispersed Ni nanowires embedded in silicone matrix.