Ultrafine graphitised MWCNT nanostructured yarn for the manufacture of electrically conductive fabric.

A novel process was used to fabricate a nanostructured polyurethane-based fabric. Batches were made by extruding the polymerised formulation while it was wound onto a mandrill to produce a spool of nanostructured 1.5-2.5-μm-diameter fibres. During this research, the ultrafine 2-μm-diameter polyurethane yarn has been nanostructured with 0.5, 0.75 and 1% (wt) graphitised multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The yarn was subsequently weaved to form an electrically conductive fabric, which has ten times the electrical conductivity over its parent yarn. The process in which nanostructured fabric is manufactured is discussed together with its enhanced electrical conductivity characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]