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Characterization of Solution‐Processed Double‐Walled Carbon Nanotube/Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Almasri Atheer,
Ounaies Zoubeida,
Kim Yeon Seok,
Grunlan Jaime
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.200700229
Subject(s) - materials science , carbon nanotube , piezoelectricity , nanocomposite , composite material , dispersion (optics) , polymer , percolation (cognitive psychology) , percolation threshold , polymer nanocomposite , modulus , conductivity , electric field , electrical resistivity and conductivity , optics , chemistry , physics , electrical engineering , engineering , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , biology
Dispersion of CNTs in polymers can yield impressive property enhancements at low volume fractions, thus maintaining the inherent processability of the polymer. In particular, they can improve the electromechanical response of piezoelectric polymers by lowering the actuation voltage and increasing strain and stress response. In this work, piezoelectric PVDF and DWNTs are solution‐cast into films. SEM of fracture surfaces confirms good dispersion, and electrical conductivity measurements reveal a low percolation threshold (0.23 vol.‐%). The effect of CNTs on storage modulus, T c , T m and T g of PVDF is studied. Electromechanical strain is observed at low actuation voltages, possibly due to enhanced local electric field in the presence of DWNTs.