Bio-sourced electrically conductive epoxidized linseed oil based composites filled with polyaniline and carbon nanotubes

Abstract

In the present work, electrically conductive hybrid green composites were developed using epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) as bio-sourced matrix and, p-toluenesulfonic acid (pTSA) doped polyaniline (PANI) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) as two conductive fillers of varied nature. Based on percolation threshold, two different concentrations of CNT (0.1% and 0.4%) were added to ELO/PANI composites. Conductivity increased with the incorporation of CNT and maximum conductivity observed with 0.1% and 0.4% CNT was 1.0 × 10−5 and 4.5 × 10−5 S/cm respectively confirming the synergism among the fillers. The good distribution of both CNT and PANI in ELO matrix was confirmed by morphological studies. CNT addition increased the viscosity and induced the shear thinning behavior in ELO/PANI (5%) resin system. Energy storing ability as well as glass transition temperature (Tg) of the ELO/PANI (5%) composite were improved with CNT incorporation as revealed from viscoelastic studies. Tensile strength and elastic modulus showed increased values upon CNT insertion within composite. Impact strength improved with 0.1% CNT addition to ELO/PANI5 confirming an enhancement in toughening of composite. This investigation opens up the path to make electrically conductive composites with tunable conductivity from renewable resource based material such as linseed oil.