The effect of adding CNT by direct compounding versus dilution of a masterbatch on the elastic and electrical properties of PP copolymer composites Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • © copyright Environment and Climate Change Canada.Composites of multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT) at 1, 2 and 3 wt.% on a polypropylene-polyethylene random copolymer (PPRC) matrix were prepared by melt compounding CNT powder and by dilution of a commercial polypropylene masterbatch. While the shear viscosity shows similar behavior for both dilution modes, the differences in their elastic properties clearly show the effect of the addition method. This also indicates the relevance of having a difficult to mix masterbatch to enhance the elongational viscosity of the composites for free wall applications such as fiber spinning and blown film. On the other hand, the 2 and 3 wt.% CNT composites from both addition modes have similar conductive behavior, with values near the semiconductors' range. TEM and SEM images show different states of dispersion for each source of CNT; which are the simplest explanation for the differences found in the rheological characteristics of the prepared materials.

publication date

  • January 1, 2019