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

Abstract

The steep increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions has created great concern due to its role in the greenhouse effect and global warming. One approach to mitigate CO2 levels involves its application in specific technologies. In this context, CO2 can be used for a more sustainable synthesis of polycarbonates (CO2-PCs). In this research, CO2-PC films and composites with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs, ranging from 0.2 to 7.0 wt.%) have been prepared to achieve more sustainable multifunctional sensing devices. The inclusion of the carbonaceous fillers allows for the electrical conductivity to be enhanced, reaching the percolation threshold (Pc) at 0.1 wt.% MWCNTs and a maximum electrical conductivity of 0.107 S·m−1 for the composite containing 1.5 wt.% MWCNTs. The composite containing 3.0 wt.% MWCNTs was also studied, showing a stable and linear response under temperature variations from 40 to 100 ◦C and from 30 to 45 ◦C, with a sensitivity of 1.3 × 10−4 ◦C−1. Thus, this investigation demonstrates the possibility of employing CO2-derived PC/MWCNT composites as thermoresistive sensing materials, allowing for the transition towards sustainable polymer-based electronics.