Polymer/carbon nanotube nanocomposites as temperature sensing materials

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes and high-density polyethylene (MWCNTs/HDPE) nanocomposite sheets with (1.0, 0.5, and 0.1) wt.% MWCNT were successfully prepared by coating the MWCNTs on the surface of the matrix particles (HDPE). The sample resistivities of the nanocomposites were investigated in relation to the temperature influence. Several findings could be drawn from these experiments: For instance, among all of the prepared MWCNT/HDPE nanocomposite sheets with (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0) wt. % MWCNT, the electrical resistivity of the 1.0 wt. % MWCNT/HDPE nanocomposite was 33.18 kΩ.m, demonstrating the best electrical conductivity. The resistivities of 0.1 wt. % and 0.5 wt. % samples were found to be 2594 and 372.23 kΩ.m respectively. Also, the measurements of temperature versus electrical conductivity revealed that the rise in temperature causes the electrical resistivity for the MWCNT/HDPE nanocomposites to increase due to the expansion of the distances between the conductive nanofillers (CNT), i.e., the sample resistivity increased under heating due to the thermal expansion of the polymer matrix. For example, the initial electrical resistivity for the 1.0 wt. % MWCNT/HDPE nanocomposite sheet decreased from 36.25 kΩ.m to 33.18 kΩ.m after the heat treatment. Besides, heat treatment could effectively improve the reproducibility of the MWCNT/HDPE nanocomposites. The reproducibility of the 1.0 wt. % MWCNT/HDPE nanocomposite was better than that of the 0.5 wt. % MWCNT/HDPE nanocomposite.