Comparing the performance of electrospun and cast nanocomposite film of polyamide-6 reinforced with multi-wall carbon nanotubes

This study aims at fabrication and characterization of two different structures of electrically conductive polyamide 6/multi-wall carbon nanotube nanocomposite films at different multi-wall carbon nanotube concentrations including electrospun nanofibrous and cast films. Morphology, embedded multi-wall carbon nanotubes into nanofiber, thermal behavior, electrical conductivity and wettability of films were characterized. Scanning electron microscopy images depicted that the nanofiber diameter decreased with increased nanofillers. Enhancement of crystallinity, electrical and tensile properties, and simultaneously achieving a low percolation threshold confirmed good nanotube dispersion by employing a polymeric emulsifier, polyvinylpyrrolidone. The electrospun film crystalline content increased 18.5% and the cast ones increased 46.8% at 7 wt.% multi-wall carbon nanotubes loading. The electrospun and cast membrane electrical conductivity increased by 10 and 12 orders of magnitude. These results demonstrated higher values compared to previously reported data for polyamide 6/multi-wall carbon nanotube nanocomposites. The electrospun film Young's modulus increased 93% and that of casted one increased 267%, due to the increased crystallinity after adding carbon nanotubes into the films.