Carbon Nanotube/Graphene Nanoribbon/Polyvinylidene Fluoride Hybrid Nanocomposites: Rheological and Dielectric Properties

Abstract

Results of the present study demonstrate the potential of graphene nanoribbon to induce giant synergistic effects in the broadband dielectric properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube/​graphene nanoribbon/​polyvinylidene fluoride (MWCNT/​GNR/​PVDF) nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were prepared using a melt-mixing technique at various nanofiller total contents and MWCNT/​GNR weight ratios. Rheology coupled with AC conductivity measurements of the nanocomposites unearthed highly superior capability of MWCNT to neighbor or interlace compared to GNR; i.e., the MWCNT has higher ability to participate in a percolative network. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy demonstrated superior dielectric properties for MWCNT/​GNR/​PVDF ternary (hybrid) nanocomposites compared to the MWCNT or GNR binary nanocomposites. For instance, at 1.5 wt % and 1000 Hz, the ternary nanocomposite with an MWCNT/​GNR ratio of 3:1 presented a real permittivity and dissipation factor of 41.4 and 0.91, surpassing the binary MWCNT nanocomposite with a real permittivity and dissipation factor of 39.3 and 86.7, respectively. We attribute this synergistic effect to the poor interlacing ability of GNRs, as secondary conductive nanofillers, acting as extra nanoelectrodes. In fact, the role of GNRs as extra nanoelectrodes in conjunction with their poor propensity to bridge MWCNTs led to effective nanocapacitor structures with low energy loss.

A review of the interfacial characteristics of polymer nanocomposites containing carbon nanotubes

“…252,253 It is important to note that the optimal microstructure for one physical property of polymer nanocomposite materials might not be the best microstructure of another physical property. In addition, the importance of the relationship between network structure and physical properties has been highlighted by the research group of Uttandaraman Sundararaj, [254][255][256] and the effect of the geometry of llers has been also clearly claried.…”

Surface Modification Design for Improving the Strength and Water Vapor Permeability of Waterborne Polymer/SiO2 Composites: Molecular Simulation and Experimental Analyses

“…Nanoparticles have received significant attention from researchers in the fields of electronics, metallurgy, aerospace, chemical engineering, biology and medicine due to their unique properties [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. However, on account of the high surface energy of nanoparticles and the fact that they usually do not contain active functional groups, the dispersion of nanoparticles in polymers is very poor, thus leading to weak reinforcing effects [11,12].…”

Dielectric behavior and electrical conductivity of PVDF filled with functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes

“…Therefore, it is necessary to find a way for increasing the PVDF dielectric constant, while maintaining the composite dielectric losses down at a suitable level. Different strategies have been developed in order to resolve this paradigm, including the incorporation of a secondary BaTiO 3 insulating filler [17], the surface oxidation of metallic nanowires [18], and others that have been widely summarized by Arjmand et al [19]. One of the routes is based on surface modification of CNTs with different functionalization types including surface oxidation [20], nitrogen doping [21], and the incorporation of organic compounds such as polypyrrole [6].…”