Manipulating the conductivity of carbon-black-filled immiscible polymer composites by insulating nanoparticles

The conductivity of an immiscible polymer blend system, microfibrillar conductive poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/polyethylene (PE) composite (MCPC) containing carbon black (CB), was changed by the addition of insulating CaCO₃ nanoparticles. In MCPC, the PET forms microfibrils during processing a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied polymer science 2008-12, Vol.110 (5), p.3073-3079
Main Authors: Li, Bo, Xu, Xiang-Bin, Li, Zhong-Ming, Song, Yin-Chun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
carbon
Composites
electrical conductivity
Exact sciences and technology
Forms of application and semi-finished materials
percolation
Polymer industry, paints, wood
polymer matrix composites
Technology of polymers
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Summary:The conductivity of an immiscible polymer blend system, microfibrillar conductive poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/polyethylene (PE) composite (MCPC) containing carbon black (CB), was changed by the addition of insulating CaCO₃ nanoparticles. In MCPC, the PET forms microfibrils during processing and PE forms the matrix. The CB particles are selectively localized in the PET microfibrils. When the insulating CaCO₃ nanoparticles are added, they substitute for some of the conductive CB particles and obstruct the electron paths. As a result, the resistivity of the MCPC can be tailored depending on the insulating filler content. The resistivity-insulating filler content curve displays a sluggish postpercolation region (the region immediately following the percolation region and in front of the equilibrium flat of the resistivity-filler content curve), suggesting that the MCPC in the postpercolation region possesses an enhanced manufacturing reproducibility and a widened processing window. These features are of crucial importance in making sensor materials.
ISSN:0021-8995
1097-4628
DOI:10.1002/app.28573