Effects of morphology on the electrical and mechanical properties of the polycarbonate/multi-walled carbon nanotube composites

Abstract

The electrical, morphological, and mechanical properties of polycarbonate (PC)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) composites were studied by electrical conductivity, electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE), scanning electron microscopy, and tensile strength measurements. In the electrical property analysis of the PC/MWNT composites, the percolation threshold of the PC/MWNT composites was observed between 1.5 and 2.5 wt% MWNT content. From the electrical conductivity and EMI SE studies, the theoretical values of the EMI SE were in good agreement with the experimental values of the EMI SE. From the morphology of the PC/MWNT composites, it was observed that MWNT is dispersed homogenously in the PC matrix. From the electrical conductivity and morphological studies, it was suggested that the percolation threshold of the PC/MWNT composites is related with the morphological results in that MWNT is apparently interconnected to form an electrical pathway. The mechanical properties of the PC/MWNT composites peaked at the MWNT content of 2.5 wt%.