• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.459-466
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• 2019

When a laser pulse is irradiated on a CNT (Carbon Nanotube) and PDMS (Poly dimethylsiloxane) composite coated on a transparent PMMA (Poly methyl methacrylate) substrate, a strong ultrasonic wave is generated due to the thermoelastic effect. In this paper, the thermoacoustic theory related to the wave generation by the CNT/PDMS composite was established. The waveforms of ultrasonic waves when a laser pulse having a Gaussian waveform is irradiated on the composite with a thickness of $20{\mu}m$ were numerically simulated. From the results, it was confirmed that ultrasonic shock waves can be generated from the CNT/PDMS composite and the waveforms are changed little even if the physical properties of the composite are changed by ${\pm}20%$. It was found that the peak positive and negative pressures increase as the thermal expansion coefficient increases, or as density, heat capacity and sound speed decreased. However, those changes were not so sensitive with thermal conductivity. In addition, the physical properties of the CNT/PDMS composite fabricated in this study were estimated from the comparison of the measurement and simulation results.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.369-369
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• 2016

A nanostructure composite is a highly suitable substance for photoacoustic ultrasound generation. This allows an input laser beam (typically, nanosecond pulse duration) to be efficiently converted to an ultrasonic output with tens-of-MHz frequency. This type of energy converter has been demonstrated by using a carbon nanotube (CNT)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite film that exhibit high optical absorption, rapid heat transition, and mechanical durability, all of which are necessary properties for high-amplitude ultrasound generation. In order to develop the CNT-PDMS composite film, a high-temperature chemical vapor deposition (HTCVD) method has been commonly used so far to grow CNT and then produce a CNT-PDMS composite structure. Here, instead of the complex HTCVD, we use a mixed solution of hydrophobic multi-walled CNT and dimethylformamid (DMF) and fabricate a solution-processed CNT-PDMS composite film over a spherically concave substrate, i.e. a focal energy converter. As the solution process can be applied over a large area, we could easily fabricate the focal transmitter that focuses the photoacoustic output at the moment of generation from the CNT-PDMS composite layer. With this method, we developed photoacoustic energy converters with a large diameter (>25 mm) and a long focal length (several cm). The lens performance was characterized in terms of output pressure amplitude for an incident pulsed laser energy and focal spot dimension in both lateral and axial. Due to the long focal length, we expect that the new lens can be applied for long-range ultrasonic treatment, e.g. biomedical therapy.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.353-358
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• 2008

Maleated ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (MEPDM) was prepared from solution polymerization of EPDM and maleic anhydride. MEPDM-grafted-poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) copolymer (MEPDM-g-PDMS) was prepared from copolymerization of MEPDM with $\alpha$,$\omega$-hydroxyl group terminated PDMS. The MEPDM-g-PDMS was compounded with HDPE and 4-ethoxybenzoic acid modified MWCNT at $180^{\circ}C$ and positive temperature coefficient (PCT) behavior of the MWCNT composite was investigated. Surface modification of MWCNT enabled it to be more uniformly dispersed in polymer matrix and decreased aggregation of particles. Electrical resistivity of the composite was abruptly increased at melting temperature and PTC intensity of 2.3 was obtained at 15% loading of surface modified CNT.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.377-377
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• 2016

Under nanosecond-pulsed laser irradiation, light-absorbing thin films have been used for photoacoustic transmitters for ultrasound generation. Especially, nanostructured absorbers are attractive due to high optical absorption and efficient thermoacoustic energy conversion: for example, 2-dimensional (2-D) gold nanostructure array, synthetic gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and reduced graphene oxides. Among them, CNT has been used to fabricate a composite film with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) that exhibits excellent photoacoustic conversion performance for high-frequency, high-amplitude ultrasound generation. Previously, CNT-PDMS nanocomposite films were made by using a high-temperature chemical vapor deposition (HTCVD) process for CNT growth. However, this approach is not suitable to fabricate large-area CNT films (>several cm2). This is because a chamber dimension of HTCVD is limited and also the process often causes nonuniform CNT growth when the film area increases. As an alternative approach, a solution-based process can be used to overcome these issues. We develop PDMS composite transmitters, based on the solution process, using several nanostructured light-absorbers such as CNTs, nanoink powders, and imprinted regular arrays of gold nanostructure. We compare fabrication processes of each composite transmitters and photoacoustic output performance.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.297.2-297.2
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• 2016

Photoacoustic generation of ultrasound is an effective approach for development of high-frequency and high-amplitude ultrasound transmitters. This requires an efficient energy converter from optical input to acoustic output. For such photoacoustic conversion, various light-absorbing materials have been used such as metallic coating, dye-doped polymer composite, and nanostructure composite. These transmitters absorb laser pulses with 5-10 ns widths for generation of tens-of-MHz frequency ultrasound. The short optical pulse leads to rapid heating of the irradiated region and therefore fast thermal expansion before significant heat diffusion occurs to the surrounding. In this purpose, nanocomposite thin films containing gold nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), or carbon nanofibers have been recently proposed for high optical absorption, efficient thermoacosutic transfer, and mechanical robustness. These properties are necessary to produce a high-amplitude ultrasonic output under a low-energy optical input. Here, we investigate carbon nanotube (CNT)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite transmitters and their nanostructure-originated characteristics enabling extraordinary energy conversion. We explain a thermoelastic energy conversion mechanism within the nanocomposite and examine nanostructures by using a scanning electron microscopy. Then, we measure laser-induced damage threshold of the transmitters against pulsed laser ablation. Particularly, laser-induced damage threshold has been largely overlooked so far in the development of photoacoustic transmitters. Higher damage threshold means that transmitters can withstand optical irradiation with higher laser energy and produce higher pressure output proportional to such optical input. We discuss an optimal design of CNT-PDMS composite transmitter for high-amplitude pressure generation (e.g. focused ultrasound transmitter) useful for therapeutic applications. It is fabricated using a focal structure (spherically concave substrate) that is coated with a CNT-PDMS composite layer. We also introduce some application examples of the high-amplitude focused transmitter based on the CNT-PDMS composite film.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.400-403
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• 2013

The piezoelectric composite film of ferroelectric PZT ceramic ($PbZr_xTi_{1-x}O_3$) and polymer (PDMS, Polydimethylsiloxane) was prepared to improve the flexibility of piezoelectric material. The bar coating method was applied to fabricate flexible nanocomposite film with large surface area by low cost process. In the case of using metal electrode on the composite film, although there is no problem by bending process, the electrode is usually broken away from the film by stretching process. However, the well-attached, flexible CNT electrode on PZT/PDMS film improved flexibility, especially stretchability. PZT particles was usually settled down into polymer matrix due to gravity of the weighty particle, so to improve the dispersion of PZT powder in polymer matrix, small amount of additives (CNT powder, Carbon nanotube powder) was physically mixed with the matrix. By stretching the film, an output voltage of PZT(70 wt%)/PDMS with CNT (0.5 wt%) was measured.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2023

In this study, a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based drag force-type flowmeter was fabricated using a graphite-carbon nanotube (CNT) composite as a piezoresistive material and evaluated. The device was in the form of a cantilever, which was composed of the soft material, PDMS, and fabricated using a mold manufactured by a three-dimensional printer. The cost-effective graphite was mixed with CNTs to serve as a piezoresistive material. The optimal mixing ratio was investigated, and the piezoresistive material formed using a graphite:PDMS:CNT ratio of 1.5:1:0.01 was adopted, which showed a stable output and a high sensitivity. Various forward and backward air flows in the range of 0-10 m/s were measured using the fabricated flowmeter, and both tensile and compression characteristics were evaluated. The measured results showed a stable output, with the resistance change gradually increasing with the air flow rate. Repeatability characteristics were also tested at a repeated air flow of 10 m/s, and the flowmeter responded to the applied air flow well. Consequently, the fabricated device has a high sensitivity and can be used as a flowmeter.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.109-113
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• 2011

${\alpha},{\omega}$-Hydroxypropylpoly(dimethylsiloxane) was prepared from the reaction of a ${\alpha},{\omega}$-hydrogen polydimethylsiloxane with an allyl alcohol. MPE-g-poly(dimethylsiloxane) copolymer (MPES) was prepared from the graft copolymerization of MPE with ${\alpha},{\omega}$-hydroxypropyl group terminated PDMS. MPES/HDPE/EtO-CNT need to varify was prepared from the compounding of MPES, HDPE, and surface treated MWCNT with 4-ethoxybenzoic acid at $180^{\circ}C$. Melting point of the MPES/HDPE/EtO-CNT composite was decreased from 130 to $129^{\circ}C$ as increasing the content of MWCNT 10 to 20 wt% in the composite PTC characteristic of the MPES/HDPE/EtO-CNT composite was appeared at $120^{\circ}C$ as abruptly increasing the electrical resistivity at this temperature. The heighest PTC intensity of MPES/HDPE/EtO-CNT compsite at 10 wt% loading of EtO-CNT was 1.9.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.531-535
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• 2023

Mechanoluminescence (ML) is a phenomenon where the application of mechanical force to ML materials generates an electric field and produces light, holding significant promise as an eco-friendly technology. However, challenges in commercializing ML technology has arisen due to its low brightness and short luminous lifetime. To address this, in this work, we enhance ML efficiency by mixing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a ZnS: Cu embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane composite ML device. The inclusion of CNTs boosts ML intensity by 98% compared to devices without CNTs, as the increasing CNT fraction elevates conductivity, thereby amplifying ML intensity. However, this increase in CNT fraction also leads to enhanced light absorption within the device. Consequently, we observe a trend where ML intensity rises initially but declines beyond a CNT fraction of 0.0015 wt%. Based on these findings, we anticipate that our research will make valuable contributions to the advancement of electrical powerless mechanoluminescent technology.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.387-393
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• 2021

This paper investigated the electrical properties of multiwall carbon nanotube reinforced polydimethylsiloxane (CNT-PDMS) strain sensors with copper electrodes on the wet-etched surface. MWCNT-PDMS strain sensors were fabricated according to the wt% of MWCNT. Surfaces on the electrode area were wet-etched with various etching duration and silver epoxy adhesives were spread on the wet-etched surface. Finally, we attached the copper electrodes to the MWCNT-PMDS strain sensors. We checked the electric conductivities by the two-probe method and sensing characteristics under the cyclic loading. We observed the electric conductivity of MWCNT-PDMS strain sensors increased sharply and the scattering of the measured data decreased when the surface of the electrode area was wet-etched. Initial resistances of MWCNT-PDMS strain sensors were inversely proportion to wt% of MWCNT and the etching duration. However, the resistance changing rates under 30% strain increased as wt% of MWCNT and the etching duration increased. Decreasing rate of the electric resistance change after 100 repetitions was smaller when wt% of MWCNT was larger and the etching duration was short. This was due to the low initial resistance of the MWCNT-PMDS strain sensors by the wet-etching.