Dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in a rubber matrix using an internal mixer: Effects on rheological and electrical properties

The dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in an ethylene propylene rubber matrix was investigated using an internal mixer. Poly(ethylene‐co‐polyvinyl acetate) (EVA) statistic copolymer was used as a dispersing agent. The effects of the concentration of the dispersing agent and the matrix...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics Polymer physics, 2011-11, Vol.49 (22), p.1597-1604
Main Authors: Charman, Maxime, Léonardi, Frédéric, Dominguez, Sébastien, Bissuel, Cédric, Derail, Christophe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
banbury internal mixer
carbon nanotubes
Chemical Sciences
Composites
Dispersing
Dispersions
elastomer
electrical threshold
Ethylene vinyl acetates
Exact sciences and technology
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
Mathematical models
Mixers
modeling
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Polymers
Rheological properties
rheology
Rubber
Technology of polymers
Viscosity
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Summary:The dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in an ethylene propylene rubber matrix was investigated using an internal mixer. Poly(ethylene‐co‐polyvinyl acetate) (EVA) statistic copolymer was used as a dispersing agent. The effects of the concentration of the dispersing agent and the matrix viscosity on the quality of the dispersion of 1 wt % of CNTs were studied by using microscopy and rheology in the melt state. It was demonstrated that the dispersion is governed principally by the viscosity of the matrix. As expected, better dispersion was observed when the matrix exhibited a lower viscosity. The influence of the filler content on the rheological and electrical properties is presented. A Cross model with a yield stress is proposed to describe the rheological behavior of these materials, which exhibit a viscoelastic solid behavior from 1 wt % CNT content. Electrical measurement data indicate that the electrical percolation threshold was 2.9 wt %. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1597–1604, 2011 A good dispersion of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes in nanocomposites ensures optimal properties; here, an internal mixer is used to obtain such a dispersion in an ethylene propylene rubber matrix. Polyethylene‐co‐polyvinyl acetate (EVA) statistic copolymer is used as a dispersing agent. The influence of the filler content on the rheological and electrical properties is studied. Electrical measurement data indicate that the electrical percolation threshold is lower than 3wt% in spite of the smooth blended method used.
ISSN:0887-6266
1099-0488
1099-0488
DOI:10.1002/polb.22350