Lowering the percolation threshold when filling polystyrene with surface-functionalized carbon nanohorns

Abstract

Carbon nanohorns (CNHs) are highly porous material composed of spherical aggregates of short carbon tubes with closed ends. Given their significant potential for a variety of applications, including electromagnetic shielding, it is important to tune the morphology and surface functionality of CNHs. In this study, CNHs functionalized with –CHx groups were synthesized by arc discharge of a graphite rod with the addition of toluene vapor. The resulting material was used as a filler for polystyrene composites, whose electromagnetic properties were studied over the frequency range of 1 kHz–4 GHz. Our research showed that functionalization increases the electrostatic association of CNHs, thereby facilitating the formation of conduction paths. As a result, polymer composites containing functionalized CNHs exhibit improved electromagnetic response and lower electrical percolation threshold. The insights gathered from this study provide crucial information on the relation between charge transport and polarization phenomena, the structure of CNHs, their surface state, and their arrangement in the polymer matrix. This information could potentially aid in the further development of this exceptional material.