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 K1, 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.