Textile sensor applications with composite monofilaments of polymer / carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) composite monofilaments were produced and tested for sensing activity. Polylactide (PLA) was the polymer selected for humidity sensing, while a mixture of polypropylene (PP) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) was used for temperature sensing. The PP/PCL/CNT composite filaments developed a co-continuous structure with CNT localized in the PCL phase. The filaments were characterized in terms of tensile properties and electrical resistivity. Textile fabrics were produced with both types of filaments. The electrical resistance of the fabrics subjected to humidity or temperature variations was measured in a climatic chamber.