Effects of polymer matrix and processing on the conductivity of polymer blends

Processing and morphological development of carbon black filled conducting blends using a binary host of poly(styrene co-acrylonitrile) and poly(styrene)

“…This was hardly surprising, as CB has been found to increase the T g of SAN (from 107°C to 112°C), and is thought to interact strongly with the polar groups, such as the chains containing the cyano groups in SAN and the chlorine groups in PVC. 24 The clustering of CB within the SAN phase in this work lends support to our theory regarding the strong (but localised) interaction of CB with the polar cyano groups in SAN. 24 Another interesting feature of the morphology, however, is the formation of a third percolating network within the binary hosts [ Fig.…”

“…24 The clustering of CB within the SAN phase in this work lends support to our theory regarding the strong (but localised) interaction of CB with the polar cyano groups in SAN. 24 Another interesting feature of the morphology, however, is the formation of a third percolating network within the binary hosts [ Fig. 4(d)].…”

“…24 The addition of CB seems to promote cocontinuity in the SAN/PS binary host, compared with the neat polymer that only showed semicontinuous morphology.…”

“…This provides an ideal condition to isolate and study the effects of matrix polarity and processing on the transport mechanism of CB from the PS (in which it is largely incompatible) to the compatible SAN phase. 24 The cocontinuous composition of the host polymer was predicted using the semiempirical torque equation by Avgeropoulos. 25 At a mixing speed of 40 rpm and 180°C, the continuous composition was found be close to 46 wt % SAN and 54 wt % PS by TEM, which was close to the theoretical predicted value.…”

“…The value of ⌽ c previously determined for SAN/CB binary blends was only 5 wt %. 24 However, it would be expected that most of the CB would still remain at the cocontinuous interface.…”