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Thermodynamically induced self‐assembled electrically conductive networks in carbon‐black‐filled ternary polymer blends
Author(s) -
Shen Lie,
Wang Fangquan,
Jia Weican,
Yang Hui
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.3163
Subject(s) - materials science , carbon black , ternary operation , polypropylene , composite material , percolation threshold , phase (matter) , scanning electron microscope , copolymer , polymer blend , percolation (cognitive psychology) , polymer , electrical conductor , acrylic acid , methyl methacrylate , polymer chemistry , electrical resistivity and conductivity , chemistry , natural rubber , engineering , organic chemistry , neuroscience , computer science , electrical engineering , biology , programming language
Abstract By calculating the surface tensions of the components, composites with innovative thermodynamically induced self‐assembled electrically conductive networks were designed, prepared and investigated. Carbon black (CB) was added into a ternary blend system comprised of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), ethylene–acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) and polypropylene (PP). Scanning electron microscopy images show that the PMMA/EAA/PP ternary blend forms a tri‐continuous phase structure like a sandwich, in which PMMA and PP form a co‐continuous phase while EAA spreads at the interface of the PMMA and PP phases as a sheath. The micrographs and resistivity–temperature characteristic curve results indicate that CB fillers are selectively located at the interface of the PMMA and PP phases, namely the EAA phase. The percolation threshold of PMMA/EAA‐CB/PP composites is 0.2 vol%, which is only one‐fifth of that of PP/CB composites. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry