Positive temperature coefficient sensor based on CB/PP conductive polymer

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, a carbon black (CB)/polypropylene (PP) composite with a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) was prepared and a temperature sensor was prepared from this composite. The dispersion of CB nanoparticles in PP was also increased by surface modification of CB with a coupling agent to improve its temperature sensitivity and stability. The temperature sensing mechanism of this sensor is that the conductive pathway formed by CB in the PP matrix is disconnected with the expansion of the matrix due to temperature increase and the resistivity of CB/PP increases. The use of modified carbon fillers is expected to provide a means of fabricating high-performance conductive polymer PTC materials that have potential applications as corrosion-resistant temperature resistance sensors.