Co-Axial Spun Polymer/Nanoparticle Fibers for Multifunctional Sensors

Textile manufacturing is a major industry based on the conversion of fiber into yarn, yarn into fabric and fabric into clothes. Different types of fibers are used to produce yarn. This research innovated the fiber spinning via a 3D printed spinneret to laminate a few layers of different polymer/nanoparticle combinations. For example, these fibers can contain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs); or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/GNP, as well as other amorphous polymers of polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Through controlling of polymer rheology and the solvent exchange process, together with the thermodynamics parameter control, the self-induced hierarchical structure is formed. Different characterizations, including thermogravimetric analyzer, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analyzer, scanning electron microscopy, and conductivity meter, were used to test the material microstructures and properties. The fabricated fibers were examined regarding their sensitivity and selectivity to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), proving the spinning process to be efficient in manufacturing multifunctional sensors.