Epoxy/MWCNT Composite as Temperature Sensor and Electrical Heating Element

Author

Neitzert, Heinrich C. ; Vertuccio, Luigi ; Sorrentino, Andrea

Author_Institution

Dipt. di Ing. dell´´Inf. ed Ing. Elettr., Univ. degli Studi di Salerno, Salerno, Italy

Volume

10

Issue

4

fYear

2011

fDate

7/1/2011 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

688

Lastpage

693

Abstract

An epoxy/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite material with a low concentration of multiwalled CNTs (0.5 wt%) has been shown to be applicable in a wide temperature range (up to 160°C) as heating and temperature-sensing element. It can be prepared in any type of geometry allowing a simple application to all kinds of surfaces that have to be sensed and heated. The composite material itself and the electric contacts have demonstrated excellent stability even under extreme ambient conditions. The electrical resistivity of the composite has shown a temperature dependence consistent with the fluctuation-induced tunneling model. This model assumes that the electrical resistance of the nanotube network is dominated by the interconnections between the individual nanotubes rather than by the nanotube resistance itself.

Keywords

carbon nanotubes; composite materials; electrical resistivity; fluctuations; geometry; heating elements; nanosensors; resins; temperature sensors; tunnelling; C; electric contacts; electrical heating element; electrical resistance; electrical resistivity; epoxy-carbon nanotube composite material; fluctuation-induced tunneling model; geometry; nanotube network; temperature dependence; temperature-sensing element; Carbon nanotubes; Heating; Resistance; Temperature; Temperature measurement; Temperature sensors; Carbon nanotubes (CNTs); electrical conductivity; epoxy resin; heater element; polymer nanocomposites; temperature sensor;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nanotechnology, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1536-125X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TNANO.2010.2068307

Filename

5551210