Effect of Fe3O4 loading on the conductivities of carbon nanotube/chitosan composite films

Nanocomposite films were made by a simple solution casting method in which multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were used as dopant materials to enhance the electrical conductivity of chitosan nanocomposite films. The films contained fixed CNT concentrations (5, 8, and 10 wt%) and varying Fe3O4 content. It was determined that a 1:1 ratio of CNT to Fe3O4 provided optimal conductivity according to dopant material loading. X- ray diffraction patterns for the nanocomposite films, were determined to investigate their chemical and phase composition, revealed that nanoparticle agglomeration occurred at high Fe3O4 loadings, which hindered the synergistic effect of the doping materials on the conductivity of the films.