A new polystyrene-based ionomer/MWCNT nanocomposite for wearable skin temperature sensors

The present work outlines the fabrication and testing of a novel skin temperature sensor based on exfoliated and undamaged multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed in a poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) derivative with triethylamine (PVBC_Et3N). The dispersions were prepared by sonicating MWCNT/PVBC_Et3N mixtures in dimethylformamide for 5 min and the quantification of the MWCNTs dispersed was evaluated by UV-vis spectroscopy investigations and thermogravimetric analyses.The investigations demonstrated the realization of MWCNT/PVBC_Et3N sensors with a resistance sensitivity to temperature close to −0.004 K−1, an absolute value that is comparable to the highest values found in metals. The temperature dependence of the resistance was also found very reproducible in the range 20-40 °C, thus suggesting the possibility of using the MWCNT/PVBC_Et3N system for the fabrication of small wearable temperature sensors for the monitoring of chronic wounds.