Fabric Nanocomposite Resistance Temperature Detector

This paper illustrates the characterization of a fabric resistance temperature (RTD) detector made from electrospun nylon-6 functionalized with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polypyrrole (PPy) for use in supracutaneous applications like smart clothing, prosthetic sockets, and other medical devices where a temperature detecting fabric is better suited than a rigid detector. The nanocomposite material acts like a RTD, because the conductivity increases linearly with temperature. The empirically determined temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) is reported for this material, and is -0.204 +/- 0.008%/C. Development of a simple and scalable process for constructing the detector utilized electrospinning nylon-6 as a membrane style substrate, vacuum filtration of MWCNTs onto the nylon scaffold, and vapor phase polymerization of pyrrole to PPy onto the MWCNT functionalized nylon nanofibers. The optimal loading of MWCNTs is 6.6 wt%. The conductivity of the device follows a percolative behavior and TCR values indicate this is a viable option for temperature detection. Resistance decreases with increasing temperature, which indicates this is a negative TCR material.