Electrically and Thermally Conductive Low Density Polyethylene-Based Nanocomposites Reinforced by MWCNT or Hybrid MWCNT/Graphene Nanoplatelets with Improved Thermo-Oxidative Stability.

Sandra Paszkiewicz,Daria Pawlikowska,Jan Subocz,Marek Zenker,Roman Masztak,Anna Szymczyk

doi:10.3390/nano8040264

Sandra Paszkiewicz, Daria Pawlikowska + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/nano8040264

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Journal: Nanomaterials	Publication Date: Apr 22, 2018
Citations: 52	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: West Pomeranian University of Technology

Abstract

In this paper, the electrical and thermal conductivity and morphological behavior of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) + graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) hybrid nanocomposites (HNCs) have been studied. The distribution of MWCNTs and the hybrid of MWCNTs/GNPs within the polymer matrix has been investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the thermal and electrical conductivity of the LDPE-based nanocomposites increased along with the increasing content of carbon nanofillers. However, one could observe greater improvement in the thermal and electrical conductivity when only MWCNTs have been incorporated. Moreover, the improvement in tensile properties and thermal stability has been observed when carbon nanofillers have been mixed with LDPE. At the same time, the increasing content of MWCNTs and MWCNTs/GNPs caused an increase in the melt viscosity with only little effect on phase transition temperatures.

Highlights

Polyethylene (PE) is found to be one of the most commonly used plastics in the world, belonging to the group of polyolefins [1]
The results present are the part of wider project on obtaining PE based nanocomposites containing carbon nanofillers, such as graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which can be used as semi-conductive screens in medium voltage (MV) cables
The aim of this study was polymer nanocomposites based on low density polyethylene (LDPE) containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or the mixture of MWCNTs and GNPs

Summary

Introduction

Polyethylene (PE) is found to be one of the most commonly used plastics in the world, belonging to the group of polyolefins [1]. Among others in the packaging, chemical, electrotechnical, and machine industries, result mainly from its easy processing, recyclability, and physical properties such as high wear resistance, high impact resistance, good chemical resistance, low density, physiological inactivity, and low price [2]. It does not absorb water [3]. The typical construction of medium and high voltage cables includes a conductor surrounded by an insulation and semi-conductive layers/screens.

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