Resistivity of a composite conducting polymer as a function of temperature, pressure, and environment: Applications as a pressure and gas concentration transducer

The resistivity of a commercial carbon-filled composite conducting polymer (ET-Semicon■) has been measured as a function of temperature between 80 and 400 K and under pressure up to 1.5 GPa (15 kbar). Large changes in resistivity were observed. The resistivity was also very sensitive to the presence of certain solvents and hydrocarbons. The results are explained as percolation effects caused by changes in volume due to pressure, thermal expansion, or dissolved solvents. The material studied is found to have a wide range of potential applications for pressure measurements and as a transducer for gas or liquid concentration.