(1) Polymer and Color Eng. Dep. Amirkabir University of Technology - Tehran - Iran
Different compositions (0.1 to 2.4 wt.%) of Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) were melt-mixed with Polycarbonate (PC)/ polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) (50/50 v/v) blend to obtain electrically conductive nanocomposites with a lower electrical percolation threshold according to the concept of double percolation. MWCNTs were selectively localized in PC phase in the co-continuous morphology formed during melt-mixing in the blends, which were verified by means of rheology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transition electron microscopy (TEM). Effect of the nanoparticle composition on the morphology, linear melt viscoelasticity, DC and AC conductivity was investigated. As a result of rheological and electrical analysis on PC/ PVDF/ MWCNTs nanocomposites, percolation threshold were calculated to be 0.17 and 0.29 wt. % of CNTs respectively. These values were much lower than PC/MWCNTs percolation threshold (1.5-2 wt. %), due to co-continuous morphology formation and selective localization of nanoparticles; it was elucidated that double percolation had been occurred. This approach can provide a low-cost route to fabricate high-performance electrical materials with ultra-low percolation thresholds.
Keywords: Electrical conductivity, PC, PVDF, MWCNTs, nanocomposite