Preparation of poly(ether ether ketone)-based composite with high electrical conductivity, good mechanical properties and thermal stability

Abstract

Poly(ether ether ketone)-based (PEEK-based) composites with high electrical conductivity, good mechanical properties, and thermal stability were prepared using multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a conductive filler and the liquid crystalline copolymer of poly(aryl ether ketone) (FPEDEKKLCP) as a processing aid. The composites were fabricated using melt blending, and the MWCNT/PEEK composites with FPEDEKKLCP exhibited an obvious improvement in the measured electrical conductivity relative to the MWCNT/PEEK composite without FPEDEKKLCP. Moreover, the MWCNT/PEEK composites exhibited good mechanical properties and thermal stability after addition of an appropriate amount of FPEDEKKLCP. This is attributed to the good thermal stability of FPEDEKKLCP, wherein addition of FPEDEKKLCP effectively decreased the melt viscosity of the MWCNT/PEEK composites, accompanied by an improvement in the dispersion of the MWCNTs in the PEEK matrix.