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Electric‐field induced filler association dynamics and resulting improvements in the electrical conductivity of polyester/multiwall carbon nanotube composites
Author(s) -
Osazuwa Osayuki,
Vasileiou Alexandros A.,
Kontopoulou Marianna,
Docoslis Aristides
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.23724
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , carbon nanotube , polyester , filler (materials) , electrical resistivity and conductivity , electric field , physics , quantum mechanics , electrical engineering , engineering
The effects of electric fields on the filler response dynamics and electrical percolation of poly(ethylene succinate)/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites are studied. When subjected to AC electric fields in their melt state, PESu/MWCNT composites exhibit dramatic improvements in their transverse electrical conductivity. More importantly, the elevated conductivity values are preserved after matrix solidification. Overall, the experimental results show that the electrified composites exhibit the same electrical conductivity levels as their non‐electrified counterparts at approximately threefold less filler content. The dynamics of the insulator‐to‐conductor transition under an electric field also are studied for these composites and correlate reasonably well with operating parameters, such as electric field intensity, matrix viscosity, and filler content through a relatively simple model. Such a model can serve as an enabling tool in the determination of process conditions for the manufacturing of electrically conducting MWCNT/polymer composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1571–1578, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers