Morphology and electrical properties of polyamide 6/polypropylene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composites

Lingyan Zhang, Chaoying Wan, Yong Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

85 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Morphology, electrical properties and conductive mechanisms of polyamide 6/polypropylene/muti-walled carbon nanotubes (PA6/PP/MWNTs) composites with varied compositions and different blending sequences were investigated. The MWNTs were found to be located preferentially in the PA6 phase in the composites, whatever the PA6 was continuous or dispersed phase. While the incorporation of MWNTs changed the dispersed PA6 phase from spherical to elongated or irregular shape. The PA6/PP/MWNTs (20/80/4) composite with a dispersed PA6 phase exhibited a higher electrical conductivity in comparison with the PA6/PP/MWNTs (50/50/4) composite which has a co-continuous phase and exhibits double percolation. This was due to the formation of a conductive MWNTs networks in the PA6/PP/MWNTs (20/80/4) composite as proved by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy and rheological measurements. The morphology and electrical properties of the PA6/PP/MWNTs (20/80/4) composites were significantly influenced by blending sequences. When blending 3.9 phr MWNTs with a pre-mixed PA6/PP/MWNTs (20/80/0.1) composite, the dispersed PA6 phase formed an elongated structure, which was beneficial to the electrical properties.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2212-2217
JournalComposites Science and Technology
Volume69
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2009

Keywords

  • carbon nanotubes
  • electrical properties
  • blends

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