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Sub‐micron calcium carbonate isolated carbon nanotubes/polyethylene composites with controllable electrical conductivity
Author(s) -
Shen Weixin,
Zhu Aiping
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.51412
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , carbon nanotube , compression molding , molding (decorative) , polyethylene , polymer , dispersion (optics) , calcium carbonate , electrical resistivity and conductivity , percolation threshold , scanning electron microscope , nanocomposite , electrical conductor , conductivity , composite number , raman spectroscopy , mold , chemistry , physics , electrical engineering , optics , engineering
The dispersion and distribution of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on/in the polymer composites are greatly affected by the molding technology progress, which results in different electrical conductivity. The uncontrollable electrical conductivity has limited the application of conductive polymer composites, for example, sensor components. In this work, to enhance the dispersion stability of CNTs in polyethylene (PE) matrix, sub‐micron calcium carbonate isolated CNTs (smCaCO 3 @CNTs) were selected based on the fact that smCaCO 3 is much easier to disperse in polymer in comparison with CNTs. This good distribution of CNTs in smCaCO 3 @CNTs/PE was characterized by transmission electron microscope and Raman mapping. The electrical performance test results show that when 0.5 wt% of CNTs filled in smCaCO 3 @CNTs/PE, the percolation network begins to form; when CNTs filled increases to 1‐2 wt%, the surface resistance of smCaCO 3 @CNTs/PE ranges from 10 6 to 10 9 Ω almost not affected by the molding technology process (compression molding or injection molding). The possible reason is that the isolated CNTs by smCaCO 3 in polymer matrix are favorable for the formation of the stable conductive network.