Self-healing superhydrophobic carbon nanotubes/organosilicon-modified polyacrylate composite flexible coating for tensile sensing application

Composite coatings enhance fabrics with properties like conductivity, flame resistance, and water repellency. However, these coatings can suffer damage and cracking during processing and use, which compromises their mechanical performance and lifespan. Herein, this study involves the synthesis of polyacrylic resin using various monomers, including methyl methacrylate, perfluorodecyl acrylate, and hydroxyethyl acrylate, through radical polymerization. Simultaneously, amino silicone oil and polyacrylic resin are covalently bonded to form silicone-modified polyacrylic resin. When mixed with amino-functionalized carbon nanotubes, a flexible conductive coating is produced on the fabric surface, enhancing mechanical properties such as strength and ductility. The fabric coating also exhibits excellent self-healing properties due to the formation of multiple hydrogen bonds between the amino groups on the carbon nanotubes and the polyacrylic resin macromolecules. Furthermore, the resulting fabric coating demonstrates hydrophobicity and sensing characteristics suitable for wearable sensor applications, which can be applied in monitoring standard movements in table tennis.