Physical Properties of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Filled PVDF Composites Prepared by Melt Compounding

Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) composites with various loading levels (0.01 ∼ 10 wt%) have been prepared by the simple melt-compounding approach. Morphology and electrical properties of the composites were investigated. The experimental percolation threshold for the electrical conductivity was estimated and clearly occurred between 2 and 2.5 wt%. MWNT/PVDF composites presented a shoulder posterior to the main melting peak and an increased endpoint of the peak. In the WAXD profiles, the incorporation of MWNT produced a larger shoulder at 2θ = 20.7° with increase in the loading levels, corresponding to the β-form crystal of PVDF. In the rheological properties, dynamic viscosity, the extent of shear thinning behaviors and relaxation time were notably increased with the MWNT content.