Suppression of negative temperature coefficient of resistance of multiwalled nanotube/silicone rubber composite through segregated conductive network and its application to laser-printing fusing element

• Negative temperature coefficient of resistance can be suppressed by excluded volume.
• Joule heating effect can make a unique tunneling behavior for carbon nanotube composite.
• MWCNT/silicone composite can be used a fast heating element for printers.

Negative temperature coefficient of resistance of a material can be a disadvantage in high temperature applications, causing a system to be thermally unstable as the temperature increases. We investigate the concept of excluded volume to suppress the negative temperature coefficient of resistance of a multi-walled carbon nanotube/silicone rubber composite. When micro- or nano-silica particles are incorporated to realize the segregated conductive network, the resistance-temperature dependence of the composite is suppressed in both the conductive polymer composite itself and a fuser unit for printers having the carbon nanotube composite as heating layer. It is believed that the effect of mechanical reinforcement and suppression in thermal expansion by the secondary particles are essential for suppressing the temperature dependence of resistance. This investigation on the excluded volume can be interpreted to offer a new perspective on nanomaterial-based thermistor technology.

Printing fuser consisting of carbon nanotube/silicone rubber composite.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide