In this study, Carbon nanotube(CNT)/MXene(Ti₃C₂)/Polydimethyl siloxane(PDMS) composites were prepared by optimizing the dispersion conditions of MXene(Ti₃C₂) and mixing them with CNTs, and their properties were investigated. The dispersion of MXene(Ti₃C₂) was carried out according to the sonication time in 5 solvents with different polarities: Deionized water(DW), Ethanol(EtOH), Isopropyl alcohol(IPA), Tetrahydrofuran(THF), and Hexane.
For the dispersion characteristics of MXene(Ti₃C₂), morphological characteristics(Digital image, SEM) chemical properties(UV-vis), and dispersion stability(TurbiScan) were investigated.
In addition, CNT/MXene(Ti₃C₂)/PDMS composites were prepared by mixing with CNTs through the dispersion of established MXene(Ti₃C₂). The manufactured composites were tested for dispersion stability(TurbiScan), morphological properties(digital image, SEM), chemical properties(ATR-FT-IR), electrical properties(surface resistance, volume resistance, electrical conductivity, impedance) and mechanical properties(UTM) were investigated and analyzed.
The fabricated composite was analyzed through a resistance-tensile life test to see the applicability as a strain sensor, one of wearable devices.
As a result, MXene(Ti₃C₂) dispersed in IPA was the most stable and the sonication time was determined to be 2 hours. Under these optimal conditions, the MXene(Ti₃C₂) particle size was 11.73 ± 2.92 μm and the interlayer distance was 50 ± 26 nm. In addition, in the case of 3 wt% CNT/7 wt% MXene(Ti₃C₂)/PDMS, the electrical conductivity of 0.90 ± 0.19 S/cm was confirmed, and the tensile strength was 3.70 ± 0.06 MPa, twice the value of 1.96 ± 0.32 MPa of 3 wt% CNT/PDMS without MXene(Ti₃C₂), it was confirmed that the mechanical strength of composites including MXene was relatively increased. Through the resistance-tensile life test, the CNT/MXene(Ti₃C₂)/PDMS composite fabricated in this study confirmed the possibility of using it as a strain sensor, one of wearable devices.