Abstract
The dispersion behaviour, thermal and electrical conductivities of carbon nanotube-polystyrene nanocomposites were investigated. The dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the nanocomposites was characterised by scanning electron microscope; it was observed that CNTs were homogeneously dispersed and embedded within the polystyrene matrix. The thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites were measured with a through transmission thermal inspection system at room temperature. The results showed that the thermal conductivity increased with an increase in CNT content, and the nanocomposite loaded 5 wt% CNTs exhibited a 120% enhancement in thermal conductivity. The correlation between the dispersion behaviour and thermal and electrical conductivities was discussed. In addition, it was demonstrated that CNT-polymer nanocomposites give larger increases in thermal and electrical conductivities for the same loading of carbon nanofibres, graphite powders and silver nanoparticles.
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