Characterization of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets/polycarbonate composites: electrical and thermal conductivity, and tensile, flexural, and rheological properties

Abstract

Exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) can be added polymers to produce electrically conductive composites. In this study, varying amounts (2–15 wt%) GNP were added to polycarbonate (PC) and the resulting composites were tested for electrical conductivity (1/electrical resistivity), thermal conductivity, and tensile, flexural, and rheological properties. The percolation threshold was approximately 4.0 vol% (6.5 wt%) GNP. The addition of GNP to polycarbonate increased the composite electrical and thermal conductivity and tensile and flexural modulus. The 8 wt% (5.0 vol%) GNP in polycarbonate composite had a good combination of properties for electrostatic dissipative applications. The electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity were 4.0 × 107 ohm-cm and 0.37 W/m · K, respectively. The tensile modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and strain at ultimate tensile strength were 3.5 GPa, 58 MPa, and 3.5%, respectively. The flexural modulus, ultimate flexural strength, and strain at ultimate flexural strength were 3.6 GPa, 108 MPa, and 5.5%, respectively. Ductile tensile behavior is noted in pure polycarbonate and in samples containing up to 8 wt% GNP. PC and GNP/PC composites show shear-thinning behavior. Viscosity of the composite increased as the amount of GNP increased dueto a volume-filling filler effect. The viscosity of the GNP/PC composites are well described by a Kitano-modified Maron-Pierce model.