Printable, Piezoresistive Carbon Nanotube-Elastomer Composite for Pressure Sensors

For the purpose of large-area, low-cost and flexible pressure sensors, piezoresistive polymer composites with conducting filler particles exhibit a promising sensor concept. Currently these material systems usually contain carbon black as filler particles. By using composites based on carbon nanotubes (CNT), it is possible to achieve a comparable force dependent resistance behaviour, which however results in reduced filler fraction. This paper presents a flexible, printable, piezoresistive CNT-elastomer-composite as well as its sensor concept, its material selection, its fabrication and its characterisation in compressive tests.