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Towards Sustainable Temperature Sensor Production through CO2-Derived Polycarbonate-Based Composites

Abstract

This research was funded by the Basque Government Industry Department under the Elkartek program. This study forms part of the Advanced Materials program and was supported by MCIN with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and (L.R.-P.) by the Basque Government under the IKUR program. The authors are grateful to the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) for financial Support under the framework of Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2020 and to the Education Department of the Government of the Basque Country (Grupos de Investigación, IT718-13).

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Towards Sustainable Temperature Sensor Production through CO2-Derived Polycarbonate-Based Composites

Author: Martín Ayerdi, Ane,Rubio Peña, Luis,Peřinka, Nikola,Oyarzabal Epelde, Itziar,Vilas Vilela, José Luis,Costa, Pedro,Lanceros Méndez, Senentxu
Publisher: MDPI
Year: 2024
DOI: 10.3390/polym16131948
Source: https://addi.ehu.eus/bitstream/10810/69111/1/polymers-16-01948.pdf
Ci a ion: Ma ín-Aye di, A.;
Rubio-Peña, L.; Peˇ inka, N.;
Oya zabal, I.; Vilas, J.L.; Cos a, P.;
Lance os-Méndez, S. Towa ds
Sus ainable Tempe a u e Senso
P oduc ion h ough CO2-De i ed
Polyca bona e-Based Composi es.
Polyme s 2024,16, 1948. h ps://
doi.o g/10.3390/polym16131948
Academic Edi o : Iolanda De Ma co
Recei ed: 5 June 2024
Re ised: 27 June 2024
Accep ed: 2 July 2024
Published: 8 July 2024
Copy igh : © 2024 by he au ho s.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Swi ze land.
This a icle is an open access a icle
dis ibu ed unde he e ms and
condi ions o he C ea i e Commons
A ibu ion (CC BY) license (h ps://
c ea i ecommons.o g/licenses/by/
4.0/).
polyme s
A icle
Towa ds Sus ainable Tempe a u e Senso P oduc ion h ough
CO2-De i ed Polyca bona e-Based Composi es
Ane Ma ín-Aye di 1, Luis Rubio-Peña 2, Nikola Peˇ inka 1,* , I zia Oya zabal 1,3, JoséL. Vilas 1,4 ,
Ped o Cos a 5,6 and Senen xu Lance os-Méndez 1,3,5,*
1BCMa e ials, Basque Cen e o Ma e ials, Applica ions and Nanos uc u es, UPV/EHU Science Pa k,
48940 Leioa, Spain; [email p o ec ed] (A.M.-A.); i zia [email p o ec ed] (I.O.);
[email p o ec ed] (J.L.V.)
2Enginee ing School, Uni e si y o Cadiz, A da. de la Uni e sidad de Cádiz, 10, 11519 Pue o Real, Spain;
[email p o ec ed]
3IKERBASQUE, Basque Founda ion o Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
4
Mac omolecula Chemis y G oup (LABQUIMAC), Depa men o Physical Chemis y, Facul y o Science and
Technology, Uni e si y o he Basque Coun y (UPV/EHU), Ba io Sa iena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
5Physics Cen e o Minho and Po o Uni e si ies (CF-UM-UP) and Labo a o y o Physics o Ma e ials and
Eme gen Technologies (LapMET), Uni e si y o Minho, Campus o Gual a , 4710-057 B aga, Po ugal;
[email p o ec ed]
6
IB-S Ins i u e o Science and Inno a ion o Sus ainabili y, Uni e sidade do Minho, 4710-057 B aga, Po ugal
*Co espondence: [email p o ec ed] (N.P.); [email p o ec ed] (S.L.-M.)
Abs ac : The s eep inc ease in ca bon dioxide (CO
2
) emissions has c ea ed g ea conce n due o i s
ole in he g eenhouse e ec and global wa ming. One app oach o mi iga e CO
2
le els in ol es i s
applica ion in speci ic echnologies. In his con ex , CO
2
can be used o a mo e sus ainable syn hesis
o polyca bona es (CO
2
-PCs). In his esea ch, CO
2
-PC ilms and composi es wi h mul iwalled
ca bon nano ubes (MWCNTs, anging om 0.2 o 7.0 w .%) ha e been p epa ed o achie e mo e
sus ainable mul i unc ional sensing de ices. The inclusion o he ca bonaceous ille s allows o he
elec ical conduc i i y o be enhanced, eaching he pe cola ion h eshold (P
c
) a 0.1 w .% MWCNTs
and a maximum elec ical conduc i i y o 0.107 S
·
m
−1
o he composi e con aining 1.5 w .% MWC-
NTs. The composi e con aining 3.0 w .% MWCNTs was also s udied, showing a s able and linea
esponse unde empe a u e a ia ions om 40 o 100
◦
C and om 30 o 45
◦
C, wi h a sensi i i y o
1.3 ×10−4◦C−1
. Thus, his in es iga ion demons a es he possibili y o employing CO
2
-de i ed
PC/MWCNT composi es as he mo esis i e sensing ma e ials, allowing o he ansi ion owa ds
sus ainable polyme -based elec onics.
Keywo ds: polyca bona e; lexible elec onics; ca bon nano ubes; senso ; he mo esis i e
1. In oduc ion
In ecen yea s, he e has been inc easing conce n abou he s eep inc emen in ca bon
dioxide (CO
2
) le els, which is associa ed wi h global wa ming and he g eenhouse e ec [
1
].
Acco ding o EDGAR, he Emissions Da abase o Global A mosphe ic Resea ch, CO
2
emissions inc eased om 1990 o 2021 in he ollowing manne : 87% due o he powe
indus y, 65% due o o he indus ial combus ion, 66% due o anspo , 2% due o building-
ela ed emissions, and 101% due o emissions om o he sec o s. I is wo h highligh ing
ha in 2020, a educ ion in CO
2
emissions was eco ded due o he COVID-19 pandemic.
Ne e heless, in 2021, global emissions ebounded o each 37.9 G , compa able o he
le els obse ed in 2019 be o e he pandemic [2].
CO
2
ep esen s an abundan eeds ock; he e o e, se e al e o s ha e been made o
ha ness he po en ial o his gas h ough ecycling and eu iliza ion, wi h he aim o bol-
s e ing he ci cula economy while concu en ly mi iga ing i s en i onmen al oo p in [
3
].
Polyme s 2024,16, 1948. h ps://doi.o g/10.3390/polym16131948 h ps://www.mdpi.com/jou nal/polyme s
Polyme s 2024,16, 1948 2 o 13
Some examples o accomplish he in ended goal in ol e he use o CO
2
in chemical p oduc-
ion, including o mic acid [
4
], u ea [
5
], o in he syn hesis o CO
2
-based polyca bona es
(CO2-PCs) [6].
PCs a e polyme s composed o ca bona e (-O-(C=O)-O-) monome ic uni s which a e e-
pea ed along he polyme chain. The physical–chemical p ope ies o his
polyme —op ical
anspa ency, high he mal s abili y, and high ensile
s eng h [7,8]—allow
i s applica ion in
se e al ields, including biomedicine [
9
], au omo i e [
10
], and elec onics [
11
]. Pe oleum-
de i ed PCs a e gene ally syn hesized om bisphenol A (BPA), which usually imp o es
PC esis ance and du abili y [
12
], and phosgene. I has o be highligh ed ha hese eagen s
a e qui e oxic. Phosgene is a poisonous gas, whe eas BPA is a ho mone and endoc ine-
dis up ing chemical, as well as a neu o oxic and ca cinogenic agen [
13
,
14
]. Consequen ly,
g een chemis y and en i onmen ally iendly app oaches o ob ain PC monome ic uni s
ha e been explo ed. An al e na i e elies on he copolyme iza ion o CO
2
and epoxide,
which elimina es he need o oxic and en i onmen ally ha m ul eagen s such as phosgene
and bisphenol A, as illus a ed in Scheme 1[15].
Polyme s 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 o 13
[3]. Some examples o accomplish he in ended goal in ol e he use o CO2 in chemical
p oduc ion, including o mic acid [4], u ea [5], o in he syn hesis o CO2-based polyca -
bona es (CO2-PCs) [6].
PCs a e polyme s composed o ca bona e (-O-(C=O)-O-) monome ic uni s which a e
epea ed along he polyme chain. The physical–chemical p ope ies o his polyme —
op ical anspa ency, high he mal s abili y, and high ensile s eng h [7,8]—allow i s ap-
plica ion in se e al ields, including biomedicine [9], au omo i e [10], and elec onics [11].
Pe oleum-de i ed PCs a e gene ally syn hesized om bisphenol A (BPA), which usually
imp o es PC esis ance and du abili y [12], and phosgene. I has o be highligh ed ha
hese eagen s a e qui e oxic. Phosgene is a poisonous gas, whe eas BPA is a ho mone
and endoc ine-dis up ing chemical, as well as a neu o oxic and ca cinogenic agen [13,14].
Consequen ly, g een chemis y and en i onmen ally iendly app oaches o ob ain PC
monome ic uni s ha e been explo ed. An al e na i e elies on he copolyme iza ion o CO2
and epoxide, which elimina es he need o oxic and en i onmen ally ha m ul eagen s
such as phosgene and bisphenol A, as illus a ed in Scheme 1 [15].
Scheme 1. Polyca bona e syn hesis om pe oleum (abo e) and CO2 (below).
PCs ha e ound ex ensi e use in he elec onics sec o , p ima ily as an insula ing
laye . Fo ins ance, he moplas ic polyca bona e/ac yloni ile–bu adiene–s y ene blends
(PC/ABS) ha e been inco po a ed in o elec onic de ices, which impa no only insula -
ing p ope ies bu also lame- e a dan cha ac e is ics o he de ices [16]. Addi ionally,
PCs ha e been used as ma ices o de elop conduc i e composi es. E en hough hey a e
dielec ic polyme s, elec ical conduc i i y p ope ies can be p o ided by adding conduc-
i e ca bonaceous nano ille s o he ma ix, including ca bon nano ubes (CNTs) [17], g a-
phene (G) [18], and ca bon black (CB) [19]. In ac , one o he main app oaches o ob ain
conduc i e PC composi es in ol es he inco po a ion o CNTs, as hey exhibi a high as-
pec a io, la ge elec ical conduc i i y alues o 105 S·cm−1, an elas ic modulus o 1 TPa,
and he mal conduc i i y alues anging om 3000 o 6000 W·mK [20,21]. Fu he mo e,
he high aspec a io o CNTs enables polyme /CNT hyb id ma e ials o exhibi elec ical
conduc i i y abo e he pe cola ion h eshold (Pc) a low CNT concen a ions. The concen-
a ion depends on ac o s such as he nano ube mo phology (single o mul iwalled), p o-
cessing me hod (ex usion o sol en cas ing), and dispe sion quali y [22]. The e o e, he
dielec ic polyme ic ma ix can be ans o med in o a conduc i e composi e [23,24].
The e is a wide op ion o polyme s o composi e p ocessing. Ne e heless, a g een
ansi ion o en i onmen ally iendly elec ically conduc i e composi es is highly neces-
sa y. In e es ingly, he ield o biopolyme /nano ille composi es has led o nume ous
b eak h oughs in ecen yea s. Biopolyme s a e selec ed o hei na u al o igin, abun-
dance, enewabili y, and, in some cases, hei abili y o dissol e in wa e , which a oids
he use o o ganic sol en s [25]. All in all, hese effo s suppo he equi ed educ ion in
he en i onmen al impac o he ma e ials used in senso and ac ua o applica ions [26,27].
Fo example, i s na u al o igin and physical–chemical p ope ies make silk ib oin a
biopolyme o s udy. In his case, i has been ein o ced by sol en cas ing wi h CNTs o
Scheme 1. Polyca bona e syn hesis om pe oleum (abo e) and CO2(below).
PCs ha e ound ex ensi e use in he elec onics sec o , p ima ily as an insula ing
laye . Fo ins ance, he moplas ic polyca bona e/ac yloni ile–bu adiene–s y ene blends
(PC/ABS) ha e been inco po a ed in o elec onic de ices, which impa no only insula ing
p ope ies bu also lame- e a dan cha ac e is ics o he de ices [
16
]. Addi ionally, PCs
ha e been used as ma ices o de elop conduc i e composi es. E en hough hey a e di-
elec ic polyme s, elec ical conduc i i y p ope ies can be p o ided by adding conduc i e
ca bonaceous nano ille s o he ma ix, including ca bon nano ubes (CNTs) [
17
], g aphene
(G) [
18
], and ca bon black (CB) [
19
]. In ac , one o he main app oaches o ob ain conduc-
i e PC composi es in ol es he inco po a ion o CNTs, as hey exhibi a high aspec a io,
la ge elec ical conduc i i y alues o 10
5
S
·
cm
−1
, an elas ic modulus o 1 TPa, and he mal
conduc i i y alues anging om 3000 o 6000 W
·
mK [
20
,
21
]. Fu he mo e, he high aspec
a io o CNTs enables polyme /CNT hyb id ma e ials o exhibi elec ical conduc i i y
abo e he pe cola ion h eshold (P
c
) a low CNT concen a ions. The concen a ion de-
pends on ac o s such as he nano ube mo phology (single o mul iwalled), p ocessing
me hod (ex usion o sol en cas ing), and dispe sion quali y [
22
]. The e o e, he dielec ic
polyme ic ma ix can be ans o med in o a conduc i e composi e [23,24].
The e is a wide op ion o polyme s o composi e p ocessing. Ne e heless, a g een
ansi ion o en i onmen ally iendly elec ically conduc i e composi es is highly nec-
essa y. In e es ingly, he ield o biopolyme /nano ille composi es has led o nume ous
b eak h oughs in ecen yea s. Biopolyme s a e selec ed o hei na u al o igin, abundance,
enewabili y, and, in some cases, hei abili y o dissol e in wa e , which a oids he use
o o ganic sol en s [
25
]. All in all, hese e o s suppo he equi ed educ ion in he
en i onmen al impac o he ma e ials used in senso and ac ua o applica ions [26,27].
Fo example, i s na u al o igin and physical–chemical p ope ies make silk ib oin a
biopolyme o s udy. In his case, i has been ein o ced by sol en cas ing wi h CNTs o
Polyme s 2024,16, 1948 3 o 13
piezo esis i e senso ab ica ion [
28
]. O he example includes g aphene ille s dispe sed
in o sodium ca boxyme hyl cellulose ma ix by sol en cas ing o de o ma ion sensing.
The senso has been p ocessed ollowing wa e -based o mula ion. This makes i a ac i e
as he use o o ganic sol en s is a oided. E en mo e, i shows he mo esis i e sensi i i y o
S =
−
0.27 and piezo esis i e Gauge Fac o s (GF) o 1 < GF < 5 [
27
]. None heless, bio-based
polyme composi es s ill aise conce ns wi h espec o senso esponse s abili y o e ime.
Ne e heless, biopolyme s a e no he only way o achie e senso s ollowing g een
chemis y. The upcycling o ma e ials, he euse o was e in o he applica ions, is a sui able
al e na i e o ob ain high-pe o mance ma e ials while suppo ing sus ainable app oaches.
In his scope, we sugges he de elopmen o PC-based sensing composi es. This ma e-
ial has gained popula i y due o he inc easing demand o senso ma e ials d i en by
he digi aliza ion o socie y and he In e ne o Things concep . Consequen ly, nume ous
s udies ha e explo ed he syn hesis o PC/MWCNT composi es as piezoelec ic senso s.
Fo ins ance, P. Cos a e al. achie ed composi es wi h a P
c
alue o 0.3 w .% and Gauge
Fac o s be ween 1.1 < GF < 1.75 and 0.1 < GF < 0.4, espec i ely, o uniaxial s ain and
ou -poin -bending expe imen s, which could be applied in ae onau ics [
29
]. Addi ionally,
he e ha e been signi ican ad ancemen s made in p ocessing PC blends o enhance ma ix
cha ac e is ics and make hem sui able o he a o emen ioned applica ions. Fo ins ance,
P(VDF-HFP)/PC/MWCNT composi es wi h piezo esis i e sensing capabili ies we e p e-
pa ed by mel spinning [
30
]. In he case o PC-CO
2
, he e a e di e en epo s conce ning
hei syn hesis [
31
,
32
], as well as hei physical–chemical cha ac e iza ion depending on
chain leng h [
33
–
35
]. Ne e heless, he e is a sca ci y o li e a u e conce ning CO
2
-PCs
combined wi h CNTs o sensing pu poses. Consequen ly, he p esen s udy p oposes
CO
2
-de i ed PC/MWCNT composi es o empe a u e senso applica ions. The mo esis-
i e senso s ely on he a ia ion in elec ical esis ance o he ma e ial wi h empe a u e,
and he p ecise he mo esis i e cha ac e is ics depend on ac o s such as he ype and
dispe sion o he ille , ille dimensions, and speci ic chemical cha ac e is ics o bo h he
polyme and he ille [36].
In summa y, his in es iga ion p oposes an en i onmen ally iendly app oach o
he ab ica ion o elec onic ma e ials and de ices, as exempli ied by he de elopmen o
a he mo esis i e sensing ma e ial. The app oach in ol es he use o a poly (cyclohex-
ene ca bona e) (PCC) ma ix syn hesized om CO
2
o de elop composi es wi h MWC-
NTs h ough a sol en cas ing p ocess. The in es iga ion includes he e alua ion o he
mo phological, he mal, and elec ical p ope ies o he ilms, as well as hei unc ional
he mosensi i e capabili ies.
2. Ma e ials and Me hods
2.1. Reagen s
Comme cial QPAC
®
130 poly (cyclohexene ca bona e) PCC was pu chased as pel-
le s om Empowe Ma e ials Inc., New Cas le, DE, USA. The ma e ial shows a densi y
o 1.10 g
·
cm
−3
, onse es ima e decomposi ion empe a u e o 250
◦
C, and a glass ansi-
ion empe a u e (T
g
) o 120–130
◦
C. As conduc i e ille s, mul iwalled ca bon nano ubes
(MWCNTs) wi h e e ence NC7000™ we e p o ided by Nanocyl, S.A, Samb e ille, Bel-
gium. MWCNTs we e manu ac u ed by chemical apo deposi ion, showing a ca bon
pu i y o
≈
90%, an a e age diame e o
≈
9.5 nm, and an a e age leng h o
≈
1.5
µ
m.
Dichlo ome hane (DCM) was supplied om Sigma Ald ich (Bu ling on, MA, USA) and
was used o dissol e he polyme and o dispe se he MWCNTs.
2.2. Composi e Films P ocessing
P is ine PCC ilms and PCC/MWCNT composi es we e p epa ed by he sol en
cas ing me hod, as indica ed in Scheme 2. P is ine PCC ilms we e p epa ed by sol ing 2 g
o polyme in 12 mL o DCM and s i ing o 2 h a oom empe a u e (RT). Composi es
we e p epa ed in wo s eps. In he i s s ep, 2 g o polyme was dissol ed in 6 mL o DCM
by s i ing igo ously o 2 h a RT. Meanwhile, di e en amoun s o MWCNTs (0.2, 0.5,
Polyme s 2024,16, 1948 4 o 13
1.0, 1.5, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0 w .% wi h espec o he polyme ) we e weigh ed and 6 mL o
sol en was added o hem. The esul ing suspensions we e ea ed in an ul asound ba h
o 3 h a 25
◦
C o imp o e deagglome a ion and dispe sion. In he second s ep, nano ille s
we e mixed wi h he polyme solu ion, and he esul ing mix u e was s i ed o 2 h. In
bo h cases, ei he wi h he p is ine polyme o composi e solu ions, he solu ions we e
pou ed on o a clean glass su ace and ilms we e subsequen ly p oduced using a D . Blade.
Finally, he esul ing ilms we e d ied o 24 h a RT o ensu e sol en e apo a ion. A e
his p ocess, ilms wi h an a e age hickness o 154 ±27 µm we e ob ained.
Polyme s 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 o 13
p epa ed in wo s eps. In he i s s ep, 2 g o polyme was dissol ed in 6 mL o DCM by
s i ing igo ously o 2 h a RT. Meanwhile, diffe en amoun s o MWCNTs (0.2, 0.5, 1.0,
1.5, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0 w .% wi h espec o he polyme ) we e weigh ed and 6 mL o sol en
was added o hem. The esul ing suspensions we e ea ed in an ul asound ba h o 3 h
a 25 °C o imp o e deagglome a ion and dispe sion. In he second s ep, nano ille s we e
mixed wi h he polyme solu ion, and he esul ing mix u e was s i ed o 2 h. In bo h
cases, ei he wi h he p is ine polyme o composi e solu ions, he solu ions we e pou ed
on o a clean glass su ace and ilms we e subsequen ly p oduced using a D . Blade. Fi-
nally, he esul ing ilms we e d ied o 24 h a RT o ensu e sol en e apo a ion. A e
his p ocess, ilms wi h an a e age hickness o 154 ± 27 µm we e ob ained.
Scheme 2. Sequen ial p ocessing o p is ine polyme and composi es.
2.3. Cha ac e iza ion
All samples we e cha ac e ized in e ms o mo phology, he mal, mechanical, and
elec ical p ope ies. The mo phology o he samples was s udied wi h a Hi achi S-4800
Scanning Elec on Mic oscope (SEM) o e alua e he dis ibu ion o MWCNTs wi hin he
PCC ma ix. Images we e ob ained a an accele a ing ol age o 5.0 KV and magni ica ions
o ×50.0K and ×100K.
A enua ed o al e lec ance–Fou ie - ans o m in a ed spec oscopy (ATR-FTIR)
was used o analyze possible in e ac ions be ween he polyme and he ille . In a ed
spec a we e collec ed wi h a Nicole Nexus FTIR spec opho ome e (The mo Elec on
Co po a ion, Wal ham, MA, USA) in he ange o 400 o 4000 cm−1 wi h a esolu ion o 4
cm−1 and a e aging 64 scans pe spec um.
The mal cha ac e iza ion was pe o med by The mog a ime ic Analysis (TGA) and
Diffe en ial Scanning Calo ime y (DSC). TGA was measu ed in a Me le Toledo
TGA/SDTA851e he mobalance (Japan) o e alua e he maximum deg ada ion
Scheme 2. Sequen ial p ocessing o p is ine polyme and composi es.
2.3. Cha ac e iza ion
All samples we e cha ac e ized in e ms o mo phology, he mal, mechanical, and
elec ical p ope ies. The mo phology o he samples was s udied wi h a Hi achi S-4800
Scanning Elec on Mic oscope (SEM) o e alua e he dis ibu ion o MWCNTs wi hin he
PCC ma ix. Images we e ob ained a an accele a ing ol age o 5.0 KV and magni ica ions
o ×50.0K and ×100K.
A enua ed o al e lec ance–Fou ie - ans o m in a ed spec oscopy (ATR-FTIR) was
used o analyze possible in e ac ions be ween he polyme and he ille . In a ed spec a
we e collec ed wi h a Nicole Nexus FTIR spec opho ome e (The mo Elec on Co po a ion,
Wal ham, MA, USA) in he ange o 400 o 4000 cm
−1
wi h a esolu ion o 4 cm
−1
and
a e aging 64 scans pe spec um.
The mal cha ac e iza ion was pe o med by The mog a ime ic Analysis (TGA)
and Di e en ial Scanning Calo ime y (DSC). TGA was measu ed in a Me le Toledo
TGA/SDTA851e he mobalance (Japan) o e alua e he maximum deg ada ion empe a-
u e (T
max
). Samples (~10–15 mg) we e weigh ed and hea ed om 25 o 800
◦
C a a hea ing
a e o 10
◦
C
·
min
−1
unde a ni ogen a mosphe e. Fo each sample, he maximum deg a-
da ion empe a u e (T
dmax
) was calcula ed om he i s de i a i e. The mal ansi ions
Polyme s 2024,16, 1948 5 o 13
we e measu ed wi h a Me le Toledo model DSC 822e calo ime e (G ei ensee, Swi ze -
land). Samples (~10 mg) we e sealed in o aluminum pans and subjec ed o a empe a u e
cycle anging om
−
70 o 250
◦
C, ollowed by cooling om 250 o
−
70
◦
C. The he mal
p og am consis ed o successi e hea ing, cooling, and hea ing scans, whe e he i s scan
was pe o med o emo e he he mal his o y o he samples, while T
g
was de e mined
om he second hea ing scan.
The s udy o he mechanical p ope ies allowed us o de e mine he ini ial modulus,
maximum s ess, and s ain. All samples we e measu ed in ensile mode using a Shimadzu
AG-IS uni e sal (Japan) es ing machine equipped wi h a load cell o 500 N. Rec angula
samples wi h app oxima e dimensions o 10 mm
×
50 mm
×
154
µ
m we e es ed a a
cons an eloci y o 1 mm
·
min
−1
. Each sample was measu ed i e imes. The ini ial
modulus was calcula ed up o 0.20% s ain.
The elec ical conduc i i y as a unc ion o ille con en and he co esponding pe -
cola ion h eshold (P
c
) we e de e mined a e measu ing he samples wi h a Kei hley 487
picoamme e / ol age sou ce. Measu emen s we e ca ied ou by applying a ol age ang-
ing om
−
10 V o +10 V wi h a s ep o 1 V in he di ec cu en mode a RT and measu ing
he cu en . P io o measu emen s, 5 mm diame e ci cula gold elec odes we e deposi ed
on bo h sides o he samples using a Quo um Q150T S spu e coa e (Quo um Technologies,
Ken , UK). The elec ical conduc i i y o he samples was de ined as he in e se o he
esis i i y (
ρ
), which was de e mined om he esis ance (R) ex ac ed om he I–V esul s
ollowing Equa ion (1), whe e Lis he hickness o he sample and Ais he a ea o he
elec odes.
σ=1
ρ=L
RA (1)
Finally, he mo esis i e es s we e conduc ed o assess he sui abili y o he composi es
as empe a u e senso s. The he mo esis i e pe o mance o he PCC/MWCNT composi es
wi h 3.0 w .% MWCNTs con en was measu ed using an Agilen 34401A mul ime e
synch onized wi h a Linkam THMSE600 empe a u e o en. Sil e ink ( om Aga Scien i ic,
S ans ed Moun i che , UK, e e ence AGG3790) was used as a pa allel conduc i e elec ode,
and elec ical con ac o he mul ime e was pe o med wi h coppe wi es. The hea ing–
cooling p o ile was di ided in o wo di e en cycles, om 30 o 45
◦
C and om 40 o
100 ◦C.
S=∆R/R0
∆T(2)
The he mo esis i e sensi i i y (S) was de e mined acco ding o Equa ion (2), whe e
∆
Rand R
0
a e he elec ical esis ance a ia ion and he ini ial esis ance (in
Ω
), espec i ely,
and ∆Tis he empe a u e a ia ion (in ◦C).
3. Resul s
3.1. Mo phological and Chemical Cha ac e is ics
The mo phology o he samples was e alua ed by SEM images o analyze nano ille
dispe sion wi hin he ma ix. Rep esen a i e su ace and c oss-sec ion images a e shown
in Figu e 1. The p is ine PCC ilm shows a la su ace and a compac mo phology, hough
he p esence o some oids is obse ed, which can be a ibu ed o he sol en e apo a ion
condi ions. Rega ding he ilms con aining 1.0 w .% MWCNTs, a good ille dispe sion
is obse ed oge he wi h a good compa ibili y (p ope we ing wi h no oids a ound
he ille s) be ween he polyme ic ma ix and he nano ille (whi e a ows in Figu e 1).
Inc easing he amoun o MWCNTs om 1.0 o 3.0 w .% leads o he p esence o small
clus e s and agglome a es. Fu he mo e, he samples a e less compac , showing a ma ked
p esence o oids, pa icula ly in he c oss-sec ion images. Finally, he samples wi h
7.0 w .% MWCNTs con en show a la ge amoun o well-dis ibu ed clus e s along he
samples (su ace and c oss-sec ion images). The dis ibu ion o MWCNTs wi hin he
ma ix a ec s bo h he elec ical and mechanical p ope ies, as clus e s and agglome a es
end o bols e he elec ical p ope ies o he ma e ial mo e e ec i ely han indi idual

Polyme s 2024,16, 1948 6 o 13
MWCNTs [
37
]. Howe e , i is impo an o no e ha hey o en ha e a nega i e impac on
he mechanical p ope ies [38], as will be discussed la e .
Polyme s 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 o 13
p esence o oids, pa icula ly in he c oss-sec ion images. Finally, he samples wi h 7.0
w .% MWCNTs con en show a la ge amoun o well-dis ibu ed clus e s along he sam-
ples (su ace and c oss-sec ion images). The dis ibu ion o MWCNTs wi hin he ma ix
affec s bo h he elec ical and mechanical p ope ies, as clus e s and agglome a es end o
bols e he elec ical p ope ies o he ma e ial mo e effec i ely han indi idual MWCNTs
[37]. Howe e , i is impo an o no e ha hey o en ha e a nega i e impac on he me-
chanical p ope ies [38], as will be discussed la e .
Figu e 1. Su ace (abo e) and c oss-sec ion (below) SEM images o PCC ma ix and MWCNTs a
1.0 w .% (le ), 3.0 w .% (middle), and 7.0 w .% ( igh ) ille con en . Whi e a ows poin owa ds
he MWCNTs, and clus e s and agglome a es a e dispe sed wi hin he ma ix.
The ib a ion spec a o he polyme and polyme composi es and possible polyme –
ille in e ac ions we e examined by analyzing he cha ac e is ic bands in he in a ed
spec a p esen ed in Figu e 2. In he case o p is ine PCC, he main cha ac e is ic band is
obse ed a 1735 cm−1, which co esponds o he ca bonyl (C=O) s e ching ib a ion. In
addi ion, o he bands ela ed o he PC backbone a e obse ed in he spec a: a 2945 cm−1,
he C-H symme ic s e ching ib a ion, a 1158 cm−1, he C-O-C asymme ic s e ching
ib a ion, and a 1015 cm−1, he symme ic O-C-O s e ching [23]. Rega ding he
PCC/MWCNT composi es, no signi ican band shi s a e obse ed, indica ing he absence
o chemical in e ac ions be ween he polyme and he ille [39,40].
Figu e 2. In a ed spec a o p is ine PCC and PCC/MWCNT composi es wi h diffe en MWCNT
con en s.
Figu e 1. Su ace (abo e) and c oss-sec ion (below) SEM images o PCC ma ix and MWCNTs a
1.0 w .% (le ), 3.0 w .% (middle), and 7.0 w .% ( igh ) ille con en . Whi e a ows poin owa ds he
MWCNTs, and clus e s and agglome a es a e dispe sed wi hin he ma ix.
The ib a ion spec a o he polyme and polyme composi es and possible polyme –
ille in e ac ions we e examined by analyzing he cha ac e is ic bands in he in a ed
spec a p esen ed in Figu e 2. In he case o p is ine PCC, he main cha ac e is ic band is
obse ed a 1735 cm
−1
, which co esponds o he ca bonyl (C=O) s e ching ib a ion. In
addi ion, o he bands ela ed o he PC backbone a e obse ed in he spec a: a
2945 cm−1
,
he C-H symme ic s e ching ib a ion, a 1158 cm
−1
, he C-O-C asymme ic s e ch-
ing ib a ion, and a 1015 cm
−1
, he symme ic O-C-O s e ching [
23
]. Rega ding he
PCC/MWCNT composi es, no signi ican band shi s a e obse ed, indica ing he absence
o chemical in e ac ions be ween he polyme and he ille [39,40].
Polyme s 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 o 13
p esence o oids, pa icula ly in he c oss-sec ion images. Finally, he samples wi h 7.0
w .% MWCNTs con en show a la ge amoun o well-dis ibu ed clus e s along he sam-
ples (su ace and c oss-sec ion images). The dis ibu ion o MWCNTs wi hin he ma ix
affec s bo h he elec ical and mechanical p ope ies, as clus e s and agglome a es end o
bols e he elec ical p ope ies o he ma e ial mo e effec i ely han indi idual MWCNTs
[37]. Howe e , i is impo an o no e ha hey o en ha e a nega i e impac on he me-
chanical p ope ies [38], as will be discussed la e .
Figu e 1. Su ace (abo e) and c oss-sec ion (below) SEM images o PCC ma ix and MWCNTs a
1.0 w .% (le ), 3.0 w .% (middle), and 7.0 w .% ( igh ) ille con en . Whi e a ows poin owa ds
he MWCNTs, and clus e s and agglome a es a e dispe sed wi hin he ma ix.
The ib a ion spec a o he polyme and polyme composi es and possible polyme –
ille in e ac ions we e examined by analyzing he cha ac e is ic bands in he in a ed
spec a p esen ed in Figu e 2. In he case o p is ine PCC, he main cha ac e is ic band is
obse ed a 1735 cm−1, which co esponds o he ca bonyl (C=O) s e ching ib a ion. In
addi ion, o he bands ela ed o he PC backbone a e obse ed in he spec a: a 2945 cm−1,
he C-H symme ic s e ching ib a ion, a 1158 cm−1, he C-O-C asymme ic s e ching
ib a ion, and a 1015 cm−1, he symme ic O-C-O s e ching [23]. Rega ding he
PCC/MWCNT composi es, no signi ican band shi s a e obse ed, indica ing he absence
o chemical in e ac ions be ween he polyme and he ille [39,40].
Figu e 2. In a ed spec a o p is ine PCC and PCC/MWCNT composi es wi h diffe en MWCNT
con en s.
Figu e 2. In a ed spec a o p is ine PCC and PCC/MWCNT composi es wi h di e en MWCNT
con en s.
3.2. The mal Analysis
The he mal beha io o PCC and composi es is shown in Figu e 3a up o 600
◦
C. The
p is ine polyme displays a single deg ada ion s ep, associa ed wi h he py olysis o PCC
ca bona e g oups [
41
]. Composi es, alike he p is ine sample, only depic one deg ada ion
s ep. A e deg ada ion, a small amoun o esidual weigh is le , which inc eases linea ly
wi h he numbe o nano ubes added o he sample.
Polyme s 2024,16, 1948 7 o 13
Polyme s 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 o 13
3.2. The mal Analysis
The he mal beha io o PCC and composi es is shown in Figu e 3a up o 600 °C. The
p is ine polyme displays a single deg ada ion s ep, associa ed wi h he py olysis o PCC
ca bona e g oups [41]. Composi es, alike he p is ine sample, only depic one deg ada ion
s ep. A e deg ada ion, a small amoun o esidual weigh is le , which inc eases linea ly
wi h he numbe o nano ubes added o he sample.
The mal s abili y has been s udied based on he i s de i a i e o he TGA cu es, as
shown in Figu e 3b. Maximum deg ada ion empe a u e (T
dmax
) has been collec ed in Ta-
ble 1. The polyme ic ma ix displays a he mal deg ada ion empe a u e o 284.6 ± 9.3 °C,
which does no suffe signi ican a ia ions as a unc ion o ille con en , being he ob-
se ed a ia ions wi hin expe imen al e o .
The DSC esul s, depic ed in Figu e 3c,d, e eal a single he mal ansi ion ha is
ela ed o he glass ansi ion empe a u e (T
g
) o he polyme . The glass ansi ion em-
pe a u es a which he p ocess s a s (T
g-onse
) and inishes (T
g-offse
) a e lis ed in Table 1. The
T
g-onse
alues ange om 110 o 112 °C, whe eas he T
g-offse
alues a e be ween 117 and 120
°C. All in all, hese indings ag ee wi h p e ious he mal esul s, as hey show ha he e
is no a signi ican a ia ion in he measu ed he mal cha ac e is ics o he samples due o
he addi ion o he nano ille s [42]. The empe a u es o he main he mal e en s a e col-
lec ed in Table 1.
Figu e 3. The mal measu emen s o he blank sample and co esponding composi es: (a) TGA
cu es, (b) he i s de i a i es, (c) DSC measu emen s, and (d) magni ica ion be ween 70 and 150
°C empe a u e ange o emphasize he T
g
.
Figu e 3. The mal measu emen s o he blank sample and co esponding composi es: (a) TGA
cu es, (b) he i s de i a i es, (c) DSC measu emen s, and (d) magni ica ion be ween 70 and 150
◦
C
empe a u e ange o emphasize he Tg.
The mal s abili y has been s udied based on he i s de i a i e o he TGA cu es,
as shown in Figu e 3b. Maximum deg ada ion empe a u e (T
dmax
) has been collec ed in
Table 1.
The polyme ic ma ix displays a he mal deg ada ion empe a u e o
284.6 ±9.3 ◦C
,
which does no su e signi ican a ia ions as a unc ion o ille con en , being he obse ed
a ia ions wi hin expe imen al e o .
Table 1. Summa y o he empe a u es o he main he mal e en s. T
dmax
a e ob ained om TGA
expe imen s, whe eas Tg alues a e ob ained om DSC.
w .% MWCNT
Con en
TGA DSC
Tdmax Tg-onse (◦C) Tg-o se (◦C)
0 284.6 ±9.3 111.2 118.3
0.5 279.4 ±8.8 111.9 119.0
1.0 287.3 ±5.9 112.1 118.6
1.5 286.3 ±5.9 110.2 118.1
3.0 291.1 ±7.8 111.3 117.4
5.0 286.5 ±4.9 112.3 117.5
7.0 286.9 ±6.3 111.7 120.0
Polyme s 2024,16, 1948 8 o 13
The DSC esul s, depic ed in Figu e 3c,d, e eal a single he mal ansi ion ha is
ela ed o he glass ansi ion empe a u e (T
g
) o he polyme . The glass ansi ion em-
pe a u es a which he p ocess s a s (T
g-onse
) and inishes (T
g-o se
) a e lis ed in Table 1.
The T
g-onse
alues ange om 110 o 112
◦
C, whe eas he T
g-o se
alues a e be ween 117
and 120
◦
C. All in all, hese indings ag ee wi h p e ious he mal esul s, as hey show ha
he e is no a signi ican a ia ion in he measu ed he mal cha ac e is ics o he samples
due o he addi ion o he nano ille s [
42
]. The empe a u es o he main he mal e en s a e
collec ed in Table 1.
3.3. Mechanical P ope ies
Mechanical p ope ies we e cha ac e ized by s ess–s ain expe imen s in he ensile
mode (Figu e 4a). These mechanical cu es p o ide key pa ame e s, including he ini ial
modulus (E), as well as maximum s ain and s ess. Figu e 4b shows he calcula ed ini ial
modulus. The p is ine PCC exhibi s a alue o EPCC = 1.16
±
0.11 GPa. An inc ease in
he amoun o nano ille leads o a highe ini ial modulus compa ed o he p is ine PCC
sample. This endency is obse ed o nano ille pe cen ages up o 1.0 w .% MWCNTs
(E1.0% = 1.62
±
0.37 GPa), bu inc easing he amoun o ille om 1.5 w .% o 7.0 w .%
dec eases he ini ial modulus.
Polyme s 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 o 13
Table 1. Summa y o he empe a u es o he main he mal e en s. T
dmax
a e ob ained om TGA
expe imen s, whe eas T
g
alues a e ob ained om DSC.
w .% MWCNT Con en TGA DSC
T
dmax
T
g
-
onse
(°C) T
g
-
offse
(°C)
0 284.6 ± 9.3 111.2 118.3
0.5 279.4 ± 8.8 111.9 119.0
1.0 287.3 ± 5.9 112.1 118.6
1.5 286.3 ± 5.9 110.2 118.1
3.0 291.1 ± 7.8 111.3 117.4
5.0 286.5 ± 4.9 112.3 117.5
7.0 286.9 ± 6.3 111.7 120.0
3.3. Mechanical P ope ies
Mechanical p ope ies we e cha ac e ized by s ess–s ain expe imen s in he ensile
mode (Figu e 4a). These mechanical cu es p o ide key pa ame e s, including he ini ial
modulus (E), as well as maximum s ain and s ess. Figu e 4b shows he calcula ed ini ial
modulus. The p is ine PCC exhibi s a alue o EPCC = 1.16 ± 0.11 GPa. An inc ease in he
amoun o nano ille leads o a highe ini ial modulus compa ed o he p is ine PCC sam-
ple. This endency is obse ed o nano ille pe cen ages up o 1.0 w . % MWCNTs (E1.0%
= 1.62 ± 0.37 GPa), bu inc easing he amoun o ille om 1.5 w .% o 7.0 w . % dec eases
he ini ial modulus.
This beha io can be a ibu ed o in e ac ions be ween he MWCNTs, which lead o
agglome a es and clus e s, as well as o an inc easing p esence o oids in he ilms [37,43].
A low ille concen a ions, he MWCNTs do no agglome a e, and he samples a e mo e
compac . Howe e , as he amoun o MWCNTs inc eases, agglome a ion becomes mo e
p onounced, educing he in e ac ions be ween he polyme and he ille . Fu he mo e,
he s uc u es a e less compac and, he e o e, mo e p one o de o ma ion a lowe s ess.
In addi ion o his, maximum s ess and s ain a b eak alues (Figu e 4b) we e also de-
e mined. The maximum s ess alue dec eases signi ican ly wi h he inclusion o
MWCNTs due o he men ioned agglome a ion effec . Maximum s ain alues a e as-
c ibed o he b i leness o he composi e.
Figu e 4. (a) Rep esen a i e mechanical s ess–s ain cha ac e is ic cu es o he diffe en samples.
(b) Calcula ed ini ial modulus, maximum s ain, and s ess pa ame e s.
3.4. Elec ical P ope ies
F om he ela ion be ween he elec ical conduc i i y and ille pe cen age, he pe -
cola ion h eshold (P
c
) is calcula ed. This h eshold p o ides he concen a ion a which a
signi ican change in he elec ical conduc i i y is obse ed, o in o he wo ds, he concen-
a ion a which he ma e ial changes i s p ope ies om dielec ic o conduc i e. The P
c
Figu e 4. (a) Rep esen a i e mechanical s ess–s ain cha ac e is ic cu es o he di e en samples.
(b) Calcula ed ini ial modulus, maximum s ain, and s ess pa ame e s.
This beha io can be a ibu ed o in e ac ions be ween he MWCNTs, which lead o
agglome a es and clus e s, as well as o an inc easing p esence o oids in he ilms [
37
,
43
].
A low ille concen a ions, he MWCNTs do no agglome a e, and he samples a e mo e
compac . Howe e , as he amoun o MWCNTs inc eases, agglome a ion becomes mo e
p onounced, educing he in e ac ions be ween he polyme and he ille . Fu he mo e,
he s uc u es a e less compac and, he e o e, mo e p one o de o ma ion a lowe s ess.
In addi ion o his, maximum s ess and s ain a b eak alues (Figu e 4b) we e also
de e mined. The maximum s ess alue dec eases signi ican ly wi h he inclusion o
MWCNTs due o he men ioned agglome a ion e ec . Maximum s ain alues a e asc ibed
o he b i leness o he composi e.
3.4. Elec ical P ope ies
F om he ela ion be ween he elec ical conduc i i y and ille pe cen age, he pe co-
la ion h eshold (P
c
) is calcula ed. This h eshold p o ides he concen a ion a which a
signi ican change in he elec ical conduc i i y is obse ed, o in o he wo ds, he concen-
a ion a which he ma e ial changes i s p ope ies om dielec ic o conduc i e. The P
c
indeed depends on he in insic conduc i i y o he ille , i s geome y, and i s dimensional
aspec a io, among o he pa ame e s [
44
]. Fo example, PC/CNT composi es p epa ed by
he sc ew ex ude me hod display P
c
alues o 0.125 w .% [
45
]. Mo eo e , lowe P
c
alues
ha e been ob ained o composi es p ocessed by he sol en cas ing me hod
(0.06 w .%) [42]
and PC/PP blends p epa ed by he mel me hod (0.05 w .%) [46].
Polyme s 2024,16, 1948 9 o 13
Elec ical p ope ies we e de e mined by cu en – ol age (I–V) measu emen , as dis-
played in Figu e 5a. Elec ical conduc i i y was calcula ed using Equa ion (1). The ob ained
alues as a unc ion o he ille con en a e shown in Figu e 5b. A maximum elec ical
conduc i i y o 0.107 S
·
m
−1
was measu ed o he composi e con aining 1.5 w .% MWCNTs.
The pe cola ion h eshold o he samples was calcula ed ollowing Equa ion (3), whe e
σ
is
he composi e’s elec ical conduc i i y,
σ0
is he ille in insic conduc i i y, P is he ille
concen a ion, P
c
is he pe cola ion h eshold, and is he dimensionali y o he conduc i e
ne wo k, being 1 < < 1.3 o a 2D ne wo k and 1.5 < < 2 o a 3D ne wo k [47,48].
σ=σ0(P−Pc) (3)
Polyme s 2024, 16, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 o 13
indeed depends on he in insic conduc i i y o he ille , i s geome y, and i s dimen-
sional aspec a io, among o he pa ame e s [44]. Fo example, PC/CNT composi es p e-
pa ed by he sc ew ex ude me hod display P
c
alues o 0.125 w . % [45]. Mo eo e , lowe
P
c
alues ha e been ob ained o composi es p ocessed by he sol en cas ing me hod (0.06
w . %) [42] and PC/PP blends p epa ed by he mel me hod (0.05 w . %) [46].
Elec ical p ope ies we e de e mined by cu en – ol age (I-V) measu emen , as dis-
played in Figu e 5a. Elec ical conduc i i y was calcula ed using Equa ion (1). The ob-
ained alues as a unc ion o he ille con en a e shown in Figu e 5b. A maximum elec-
ical conduc i i y o 0.107 S·m
−1
was measu ed o he composi e con aining 1.5 w . %
MWCNTs. The pe cola ion h eshold o he samples was calcula ed ollowing Equa ion
(3), whe e 𝜎 is he composi e’s elec ical conduc i i y, 𝜎 is he ille in insic conduc i -
i y, P is he ille concen a ion, P
c
is he pe cola ion h eshold, and is he dimensionali y
o he conduc i e ne wo k, being 1 < < 1.3 o a 2D ne wo k and 1.5 < < 2 o a 3D
ne wo k [47,48].
𝜎=𝜎
󰇛𝑃  𝑃
󰇜 (3)
The P
c
and pa ame e s a e i ed in Figu e 5b. In he equa ion, P is he w .% o
MWCNTs. The bes i is ob ained wi h P
c
= 0.1 w . % and = 1.15 wi h R
2
= 0.97. The
exponen ial pa ame e is compa ible wi h he o ma ion o a wo-dimensional conduc-
i e ne wo k [42].
Figu e 5. (a) Conduc i i y measu emen s based on cu en – ol age (I–V) cu es; (b) elec ical con-
duc i i y as a unc ion o ille con en . In black a e he conduc i i y alues ob ained om he I-V
cu es and in ed is he i ing based on he calcula ed P
c
and alues.
3.5. The mo esis i e P ope ies
The use o CO
2
-de i ed PC/MWCNT composi es as senso s could con ibu e o e-
ducing he CO
2
oo p in . While nume ous publica ions ha e add essed PC/CNT compo-
si es as s ain senso s, he e is a sca ci y o s udies in he li e a u e conce ning hei appli-
ca ion as empe a u e senso s. Thus, his wo k s udies he he mo esis i e esponse (i.e.,
he change in elec ical esis ance (ΔR) as a unc ion o empe a u e a ia ion (ΔT)) [49] o
CO
2
-PC/MWCNTs o empe a u e senso applica ions.
In o de o de elop such a senso , he composi e equi es a sui able elec ical conduc-
i i y and, he e o e, concen a ions o nano ille s ha exceed he P
c
we e selec ed. Con-
sequen ly, he he mo esis i e measu emen s we e ca ied ou using a conduc i e sample
con aining 3.0 w .% MWCNTs. The he mo esis i e p ope ies we e e alua ed in wo em-
pe a u e egimes: om 30 o 45 °C, sui able o wea ables and human body a ia ions,
and om 40 o 100 °C, o elec onic de ices, espec i ely. Bo h empe a u e anges a e
depic ed in Figu e 6a, displaying an excellen co ela ion be ween esis ance and empe -
a u e a ia ions, al hough some mino elec onic noise is no iceable mainly a lowe em-
pe a u es. E en hough he esis ance changes a e modes (app oxima ely 1 and 2.5 Ω o
Figu e 5. (a) Conduc i i y measu emen s based on cu en – ol age (I–V) cu es; (b) elec ical
conduc i i y as a unc ion o ille con en . In black a e he conduc i i y alues ob ained om he I-V
cu es and in ed is he i ing based on he calcula ed Pcand alues.
The P
c
and pa ame e s a e i ed in Figu e 5b. In he equa ion, P is he w .% o
MWCNTs. The bes i is ob ained wi h P
c
= 0.1 w .% and = 1.15 wi h R
2
= 0.97. The
exponen ial pa ame e is compa ible wi h he o ma ion o a wo-dimensional conduc i e
ne wo k [42].
3.5. The mo esis i e P ope ies
The use o CO
2
-de i ed PC/MWCNT composi es as senso s could con ibu e o educ-
ing he CO
2
oo p in . While nume ous publica ions ha e add essed PC/CNT composi es
as s ain senso s, he e is a sca ci y o s udies in he li e a u e conce ning hei applica ion
as empe a u e senso s. Thus, his wo k s udies he he mo esis i e esponse (i.e., he
change in elec ical esis ance (
∆
R) as a unc ion o empe a u e a ia ion (
∆
T)) [
49
] o
CO2-PC/MWCNTs o empe a u e senso applica ions.
In o de o de elop such a senso , he composi e equi es a sui able elec ical con-
duc i i y and, he e o e, concen a ions o nano ille s ha exceed he P
c
we e selec ed.
Consequen ly, he he mo esis i e measu emen s we e ca ied ou using a conduc i e
sample con aining 3.0 w .% MWCNTs. The he mo esis i e p ope ies we e e alua ed
in wo empe a u e egimes: om 30 o 45
◦
C, sui able o wea ables and human body
a ia ions, and om 40 o 100
◦
C, o elec onic de ices, espec i ely. Bo h empe a u e
anges a e depic ed in Figu e 6a, displaying an excellen co ela ion be ween esis ance and
empe a u e a ia ions, al hough some mino elec onic noise is no iceable mainly a lowe
empe a u es. E en hough he esis ance changes a e modes (app oxima ely 1 and 2.5
Ω
o
∆
T o 15 and 60
◦
C, espec i ely), hey ollow he empe a u e p o iles in bo h cases and
a e sui able o elec onic eadou sys ems.