Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) as conductive filler for polymer composite

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with its exceptional electrical properties has become one of the most potential materials to be used as conductive filler in polymer composites. However, to obtain maximum transfer of electrical properties of CNTs to the composites, well dispersed and electrically connected CNTs in polymer matrix has to be achieved. Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes with network structures were synthesized by a two steps plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. Free standing method was used to incorporate the CNTs network with polystyrene to create CNTs network-polymer composites. A benchmark sample consists of typical aligned CNTs has also been synthesized and which electrical transport properties are compared to that of the CNTs network-polymer composite. Electrical properties of the composites samples were measured by two probes technique using Keithly 197 and Fluke meters, under vacuum (~7times10-6 mbar). Standard techniques were used to measure I-V characteristic at 20degC. and minus 100degC. The results show that the CNTs network-polymer composite exhibits electron tunneling conductivity, which is lower in resistance than the electrons hopping conductivity of the benchmark CNTs-polymer composite. This findings show that the CNTs network offers a promising application as filler material for creating super conductive composite.