A facile melt coating approach to fabricate macroscopic segregated polymer/carbon nanotube conductive composites with balanced properties

Abstract

In this study, the construction of macroscopic segregated CNTs network is achieved by a simple melt coating method. In the process, poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLA) is chosen as the polymer matrix and poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) is chosen as a carrier polymer for CNTs and an interfacial compatilizer for segregated PLA domains. Thanks to the random distribution of CNTs in coating layer and the formation of macroscopic segregated CNTs network, the percolation threshold is reduced to be as low as 0.026 vol%. So far as we know, this is the lowest percolation threshold that can be obtained in segregated conductive polymer composites (CPCs) with pristine CNTs as conductive fillers. Moreover, thanks to the adhesive effect of PPC located between the boundaries of PLA domains, the as‐prepared CPCs show an excellent balance between conductivity and mechanical properties. This simple method is low‐cost and time efficient, which is especially suitable for industrial applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:841–847, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers

Nanocomposites of Polymeric Biomaterials Containing Carbonate Groups: An Overview

“…[119] Figure 1hhh-kkk shows the SEM images of PLA pellets coated with PPC/MWCNTs NCs. [78] These photos revealed that the MWCNTs were randomly embedded on the surface of pellets without existence of agglomeration after coating process in the internal mixer. Figure 1lll-nnn depict the SEM images of PPC/modified nano hydroxyapatite (MnHA) NCs with different weight ratios of 30/70, 40/60, 50/50.…”

“…[77] PPC/ PLA/MWCNT NCs assisted melt coating method for preparing electrically conductive polymer/CNT NCs with a macro scopic segregated structure. [78] The selective localization of MWCNTs not only led to an improvement in the recovery force, but also imparted composites with high electrical conductivity at a low percolation threshold. [79] PPC was provided to endcap maleic anhydride (MA) onto PPC polymer chains by melt mixing procedure, and it was revealed that the addition of low content of MA during reactive blending exhibited appropriate end-capping efficiency on PPC.…”

“…[119] Copyright 2015, American Scientific Publishers; Reproduced with permission. [78] Copyright 2016, Wiley Online Library, Society of Plastics Engineers; Reproduced with permission. [61] Copyright 2016, Elsevier; Reproduced with permission.…”

Economical conductive graphite‐filled polymer composites via adjustable segregated structures: Construction, low percolation threshold, and positive temperature coefficient effect

“…And then it would not only increase the costs for CPCs, but also it usually caused the poor processability and low mechanical properties. Therefore, the economic CPCs with the high conductivity on the basis of low percolation threshold were still desirable in the practical industrial applications 22 . In the past studies, the low percolation threshold of fillers was achieved by regulating the microstructure of composites, such as the percolation structure and segregatedstructure 6,23–26 .…”

“…Therefore, the economic CPCs with the high conductivity on the basis of low percolation threshold were still desirable in the practical industrial applications. 22 In the past studies, the low percolation threshold of fillers was achieved by regulating the microstructure of composites, such as the percolation structure and segregatedstructure. 6,[23][24][25][26] Shi et al reported that ultra-low percolation threshold (0.0085 vol%) and high electrical conductivity for the biodegradable poly(L-lactide)/poly(ε-caprolactone)/multiwall carbon nanotubes (PLLA/PCL/MWCNTs) composites with the segregated structure were obtained.…”