Hello,
I want to prepare a thick layer of PDMS + Cu Nanowires composite electrode (2wt% to 6 wt% or higher) to improve conductivity, with a dimentions range of 10 mm x 10 mm and 20 mm x 20 mm, with thickness of 1 mm, with square shape using the Telfon mold. Before adding curring Agent, Cu NWs in Ethanol and PDMS were mixed, ultrasonicated, heated at 80 C for 1 hr to evaporate Ethanol, then added curing agent (10:1, sylgard 184), both were mixed, ultrasonicated, degased and cured at 80 C for 24 hr.
After complete curing, few air bubbles appeared on suraface on PDMS + Cu NWs composite, and it can easly cracked and damaged, while removing from the Telfon mold.
1 Q, Do you have any other suggestions to avoid those issues ?.
2 Q, How do we can improve the uniform distribution of Cu NWs or (Silver Ag NWs) and conductive of PMDS (polymer) composite ?.
3Q, How do we can controll the mechanical flexiblity of PDMS, and what is the best PDMS: Anget ratio for this composite (PDMS + Cu NWs ) and PDMS + Ag NWs ?
Thank you so much in advance for your kind responses
1. Don't cure for 24 hours. Curing for max. 1 hour at 80 C is sufficient if you want flexibility.
Hi Abhishesh Pal , Thanks for the information. I found that curing for 1 hr at 80 C, PDMS is in a liquid viscous state, because it mixed with Cu NWs in desolve Ethanol and PDMS. Need to optimize better curing conditions for this PDMS composite.
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