A plastic-based bolometer array sensor using carbon nanotubes for low-cost infrared imaging devices

•We propose a plastic-based bolometer array sensor for low-cost IR imaging.•The CNT thin film thermistor of the sensor exhibited a TCR of −2.1%/K.•Measured responsivity of 69VB V/W (138V/W at VB=2.0V) was obtained.•Estimated NETD of 1.1K was obtained on the basis of noise measurement.•We confirmed the basic operation of IR imaging of a 64-pixel array sensor. We have developed an infrared image sensor based on bolometers on a plastic substrate that is potentially ultra low-cost due to its simple structure consisting of mainly organic materials. The bolometer includes a thermal isolator made of a very low thermal conductive polymer (parylene) and a newly developed, highly sensitive (TCR