Synthesis and mechanical analysis of conductive polyurethane foams containing graphene and nanotube particles

Conductive polyurethane foam (PUF) was fabricated for use as biomedical pads. A poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulphonate (PEDOT:PSS) mixture was added to increase the conductivity and density, and green mussel shell particles were used to improve the strain energy absorption. Graphene and nanotube particles were added to determine the impact of each on the conductivity and stiffness of the PUF. The electrical resistance was measured with a multimetre, and the PUF-containing graphene and mussel particles showed a better conductivity than the PUF-containing nanotubes and mussel particles. Finite element analysis was performed for a nonlinear analysis of the stress–strain behaviour due to tensile forces. A conductive PUF was tested using the biomedical pads of a heart rate metre. The results of the test show that the biomedical pads were effective.