Develop simple and cost-effective fabrication method for micro-porous structures using sugar leaching technology

Abstract

In this project, a simple and low-cost fabrication technique of microporous structure based on sugar

leaching technique was proposed. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was mixed with the curing agent

and poured into a mold containing sugar particles. After curing and demolding, the sugar particles

were dissolved and washed away thus producing a 3D interconnected microporous structures. This

technique results in a highly porous and compressible material. Pore size and porosity of the structure

were controlled by using the ratio and the particle size of the sugar particles. A Scanning Electron

Microscope (SEM) was used to characterise the microporous structure. Different porosity and porous

sizes ranging from 5μm to 500 μm were able to be obtained.

The nonconductive nature of the microporous PDMS can be altered to possess conductivity by adding

Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) into it. The result of this is a highly flexible, compressible and conductive

material which would find numerous potential applications such as in a Strain Sensitive Resistor.