Development of Electrically Conductive Wood-Based Panels for Sensor Applications

Kocoglu O. B., Pretschuh C., Unterweger C., KODAL M., Ozkoc G.

POLYMERS, vol.16, no.21, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 16 Issue: 21
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.3390/polym16213026
  • Journal Name: POLYMERS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Aerospace Database, Chemical Abstracts Core, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, INSPEC, Metadex, Directory of Open Access Journals, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: carbon fillers, electrically conductive board, sensor, wood-based composites
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study investigates the development of electrically conductive panels for application as emergency detection sensors in smart house systems. These panels, composed of wood chips coated with polymeric methylene diphenyl isocyanate, were modified with carbon black and carbon fibers to enable detection of moisture, temperature, and pressure variations. Manufactured via hot pressing, the panels retained standard mechanical properties and exhibited stable performance under diverse environmental conditions. Carbon black-filled panels achieved electrical percolation at a lower filler concentration (5%) compared to carbon fiber-filled panels. The incorporation of carbon black reduced the electrical resistivity to 8.6 ohmcm, while the addition of carbon fibers further decreased it to 7.7 ohmcm. In terms of sensor capabilities, panels containing carbon fibers demonstrated superior sensitivity to moisture and pressure changes. However, carbon black was ineffective for temperature sensing. Among the carbon fiber-filled panels, those with 20 wt.% concentration exhibited the best performance for moisture and pressure detection, whereas panels with 40 wt.% carbon fiber content displayed the most reliable and consistent temperature-sensing properties.