Sensors based on polymer waste composites

Polymer composite sensors containing electrically conductive filler were characterized. The matrices used were: blends of neat HDPE with PMMA and waste HDPE with PMMA. The filler was carbon black of particle size 10 to 110 nanometers. Filler volumes were of 2 wt.% and 4 wt.% which is equal and slightly above the percolation threshold. The composites were prepared by melt blending at 190°C with rotor speed of 60 RPM. Melt viscosity was evaluated using plate-plate rheometer at temperature of 190 °C. The samples for sensing tests were prepared with capillary rheometer equipped with 1 mm die and a sample moulding device. Each sample had silver wire contacts to maximize measurement accuracy. Solvent used to evaluate sensing abilities was acetone. After 15 minutes in solvent, samples were dried at room temperature for another 15 minutes and dipped again. Composites based on waste polymers shown similar reaction to solvent as those with neat HDPE. which is very promising and can be used as a method for upgrading their properties and therefore recycling.

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Przebadano możliwość zastosowania polimerów odpadowych jako dodatku do kompozytów elektroprzewodzących o właściwościach sensorycznych. Sporządzono kompozyty na bazie polimetakrylanu metylu (PMMA) oraz dwóch polietylenów o dużej gęstości (HDPE), oryginalnego i odpadowego jako napełniacz elektroprzewodzący wykorzystano sadze. Przedstawiono wyniki pomiaru właściwości lepko-sprężystych oraz sensorycznych przy wystawieniu na działanie rozpuszczalnika.