Resistive temperature sensor based on a syndiotactic polystyrene/MWCNT composite material as sensitive NIR bolometer

A syndiotactic polystyrene/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite based electrical heater and temperature sensor has been investigated regarding its room-temperature bolometer functionality in the near-infrared wavelength range. With the appropriate electrical contact material, a perfectly linear current-voltage characteristics and very good room-temperature conductivity stability has been obtained after a prior Joule heating burn-in procedure. Using LEDs at 780 nm and 1300 nm for excitation a linear, with respect to the light intensity, bolometer operation with good long-term stability and a very good signal-to-noise ratio has been achieved.