Synthesis and characterization of PDMSPBA/LABN thermal interface composites for robotic thermosensitive tactile recognition system

In the field of robot thermosensitive touch recognition systems, it is a major challenge to achieve high thermal conductivity and adhesion properties simultaneously in thermosensitive touch sensors to improve their sensitivity. To address this challenge, this study synthesized a copolymer of polydimethylsiloxane-co-poly([[(butylamino)carbonyl]oxy]ethylester) (PDMSPBA) using UV light polymerization. Then, a core–shell LABN filler was prepared using the principle of electronic hole coordination by combining boron nitride (BN) particles with liquid alloy (LA). The LABN core–shell structured filler was introduced into the PDMSPBA copolymer matrix to prepare PDMSPBA/LABN composite material. The LABN core–shell structure can reduce the distance of phonon transfer inside the composite material and promote the formation of a continuous heat channel. A series of tests showed that the thermal conductivity of PDMSPBA/LABN composite material was 3.75 W m −1 K −1 , the electrical conductivity value was 10 –6 –10 –8 S/m, and the surface adhesion was 1.23 × 10 4 N/m 2 . Most importantly, the PDMSPBA/LABN composite material was used as the core thermal interface material in the robot thermosensitive touch recognition system. Surprisingly, this intelligent touch recognition system can distinguish rock types in the dark within a specific range using the PDMSPBA/LABN composite material. In summary, the PDMSPBA/LABN composite material has great potential for application in the field of tactile perception of mining robots.