Morphology and Spectroscopy of Polymer–Carbon Composites

Abstract

Over several decades, polymer/carbon filler composites have been serving the human society through technological prospects to the greater dimension. While carbon-based fillers like low-cost carbon black have emerged as the most functional and effective additive in elastomers; similarly, carbon fillers in nanometric range (e.g., carbon nanotube, graphene, etc.) are capable of escalating electrical and thermal conductivity of insulating polymer matrices. However, in all such cases, the morphology of these carbon fillers in polymer matrix and existence of any chemical or physical interaction between these fillers and polymer matrix dictates the overall composite properties. This book chapter discusses the importance and role of morphology and spectroscopic analysis of carbon fillers on the properties of polymer composites. Also, a detailed understanding on different types of carbon fillers, its morphological aspects, and its nature of interaction with various polymer matrices are thoroughly covered.