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

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Sustainable Technology

Background:

• Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions drive the need for CO2 utilization strategies.
• Polycarbonates (PCs) offer versatile material properties but traditional synthesis has environmental impacts.
• Sustainable alternatives for polymer synthesis are crucial for reducing global warming effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize sustainable polycarbonates (CO2-PCs) using captured carbon dioxide.
• To create CO2-PC composites incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).
• To evaluate these composites for multifunctional sensing device applications.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of CO2-PC films and composites with varying MWCNT concentrations (0.2–7.0 wt.%).
• Characterization of electrical conductivity and identification of the percolation threshold (Pc).
• Testing the thermoresistive properties and temperature sensing capabilities of the composites.

Main Results:

• Electrical conductivity increased with MWCNT content, reaching a maximum of 0.107 S·m-1 at 1.5 wt.% MWCNTs.
• The percolation threshold was observed at a low concentration of 0.1 wt.% MWCNTs.
• A CO2-PC/MWCNT composite (3.0 wt.% MWCNTs) exhibited stable, linear temperature sensing from 40–100 °C with a sensitivity of 1.3 × 10-4 °C-1.

Conclusions:

• CO2-derived PC/MWCNT composites are viable for sustainable thermoresistive sensing.
• This research supports the development of eco-friendly polymer-based electronics.
• Utilizing CO2 in material synthesis offers a pathway to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.