Morphological characterization and modelling of electrical conductivity of multi-walled carbon nanotube/poly(p-phenylene sulfide) nanocomposites obtained by twin screw extrusion

In this study, poly(p-phenylene sulfide) based nanocomposites containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were produced by dilution of a 15 wt.% MWNT/PPS masterbatch via twin screw extrusion process. The electrical conductivities of the nanocomposites were measured and percolation threshold was observed below 0.77 vol.% MWNTs. The state of dispersion and distribution quality of MWNTs was analyzed on macro- and nanoscale through transmission light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A good deagglomeration of primary macroagglomerates and a homogenous MWNT distribution on nanoscale was found. The dependence of conductivity on MWNT concentration was estimated using statistical percolation theory which matches the experimental data quite well. A new empirical equation was set up to fit the electrical conductivity using quantitative values of visible percolating MWNTs which were detected by charge contrast imaging in SEM. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.