Carbon Dioxide Derived Polycarbonate Nanocomposites With Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes: Conductive and Piezoresistive Materials Towards Sustainable Electronics

Abstract

Bisphenol A polycarbonates are widely employed material among others, in electronics but their synthesis entails healthy concerns. Polycarbonates (PCs), thanks to their carbonate moiety, are the ideal candidates to substitute fossil feedstock by carbon dioxide (CO2) in this manner synthesizing sustainable CO2 derived polycarbonates (CO2-PCs). In this work, two commercial polymers: poly(propylene)carbonate and poly(ethylene)carbonate and one synthesized in our laboratory: poly(butylene)carbonate, have been loaded with multiwalled carbon nanotubes in order to explore their use as active materials for sustainable piezoresistive applications. The mechanical properties of the polymeric matrices show high strain > 859% and young modulus ≈1.9–2.9 MPa. The electrical conductivity is dominated by the filler network, measuring electrical conductivity values in the range 0.10–0.16 of S m−1 for 3.0 wt.% MWCNTs composites. Given the similar mechanical and electrical properties, the piezoresistive effect has been measured in lab-made matrix loaded with 0.5 and 3.0 wt.% MWCNTs. The performance characterized by gauge factors (GF) results < 4 up to 50% of strain have been measured. Herein, this study promotes material development contributing towards sustainable electronics and digitalization, as demonstrated by a life-cycle-oriented screening assessment.