Properties of Polycarbonate (PC)/Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) Nanocomposites Prepared by Melt Blending

Abstract

This investigation deals with an easy method to develop electrical conductivity in polycarbonate (PC)/multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites with low loading of MWCNT. This was achieved by melt-blending of in-situ bulk polymerized low molecular weight poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/MWCNT nanocomposites and PC in various compositions at 280 degrees C in internal mixer. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study showed single Tg in (85/15 w/w) PC/PMMA blend, indicating miscibility of PC and PMMA in the blend. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies of the melt-blended PC/PMMA/MWCNT nanocomposites revealed homogeneous dispersion and distribution of MWCNTs in PC matrix. Finally, through optimizing the blending composition of PC and PMMA/MWCNT nanocomposites, electrical conductivity of 3.74 x 10(-7) S x cm(-1) was achieved in the (85/15 w/w) PC/PMMA/MWCNT nanocomposites with the MWCNTs loading as low as approximately 0.37 wt%. Storage modulus of PC was found to increase significantly in presence of small amount (0.37 wt%) of MWCNTs in the nanocomposites.