Abstract
The thermoresistive response of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polymer composites is investigated, focusing on the role of the polymer matrix. This is achieved by experimentally investigating the cyclic thermoresistive response of MWCNT composites with three types of thermo-mechanically dissimilar matrices, viz. a thermosetting (vinyl ester) resin, an engineering thermoplastic (polysulfone), and a commodity thermoplastic (polypropylene). Thermoresistive characterization covered cyclic heating and cooling below (25 °C to −30 °C) and above (25 °C to 100 °C) room temperature. A strong influence of the polymer matrix was found, including different linearity in the response, thermoresistive sensitivity, and hysteresis, depending on the thermo-mechanical properties of the polymer. Polypropylene nanocomposites showed the highest sensitivity and overall lower hysteretic parameters, ascribed to its high coefficient of thermal expansion, low elastic modulus and low glass transition temperature. Polypropylene and polysulfone nanocomposites showed high fidelity in their implementation as thermistors, with readings close to those of a commercial thermistor.
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