Emulsion template – based porous silicones with piezocapacitive response

Porous silicones were prepared by thiol-ene photoaddition or hydrolysis - condensation cross-linking in emulsion template in the presence of a pyridyl-modified siloxane oligomer as surfactant, at room temperature. Hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS) was tested as alternative, more eco-friendly solvent in competition with toluene. Variations in the composition of silicone precursors, thus in cross-linking density and method, allowed tuning of mechanical properties. The piezocapacitive response of the porous silicones was investigated, focusing on the dielectric material as potential sensing element in capacitive pressure sensors. The capacitance variation showed linearity on wide pressure domains, roughly between 2 and 300 kPa, depending on the mechanical properties of the porous monoliths. A direct correlation between sensitivity and Young's modulus was found, which allows tuning of the sensing behavior. The softest material, prepared with a binary mixture of silicone precursors, exhibited a sensitivity of 8.7 × 10−3 kPa−1 on 9–29 kPa pressure range. A porous silicone – MWCNT composite showed spectacular increase in sensitivity, with maximum value of 0.747 kPa−1 and 0–7.5 kPa sensing range when compressed at 30%. Gauge factors of 29.2 in the compressive strain range of 13–30% and as high as 88.8 in the compressive strain range of 25–50% were found. [Display omitted] •Emulsion stabilized with a siloxane surfactant used as template at room temperature.•Porous silicones prepared by thiol-ene photoaddition or condensation cross-linking.•Mechanical properties and sensitivity tuned by composition and reaction type.•Piezocapacitive response with linearity on wide pressure domains.•Porous silicone-MWCNT composite with high sensitivity and gauge factor.