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Giant Temperature Coefficient of Resistance in Carbon Nanotube/Phase‐Change Polymer Nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Fernandes Gustavo E.,
Kim Jin Ho,
Sood Ashok K.,
Xu Jimmy
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201300208
Subject(s) - materials science , nanocomposite , carbon nanotube , temperature coefficient , composite material , electrical resistance and conductance , electrical resistivity and conductivity , nanotube , polymer nanocomposite , phase (matter) , polymer , phase transition , piezoresistive effect , nanotechnology , condensed matter physics , chemistry , physics , organic chemistry , electrical engineering , engineering
The temperature coefficient of resistance of a carbon nanotube nanocomposite with the non‐conductive phase‐change hydrogel Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) is studied. This nanocomposite is found to achieve the largest reported temperature coefficient of resistance, ≈−10%/°C, observed in carbon nanotube‐polymer nanocomposites to date. The giant temperature coefficients of resistance results from a volume‐phase‐transition that is induced by the humidity present in the surrounding atmosphere and that enhances the temperature dependence of the resistivity via direct changes in the tunneling resistance that electrons experience in moving between nearby carbon nanotubes. The bolometric photoresponses of this new material are also studied. The nanocomposite's enhanced responses to temperature and humidity give it great potential for sensor applications and uncooled infrared detection.