Electrical conductivity and tensile properties of carbon nanotube reinforced styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, nanocomposites based on styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) filled with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were produced using twin-screw extrusion. Two types of pre-mixing methods were applied to assess the dispersion-ability of the MWCNT. In Method A, the SEBS, MWCNT, and paraffinic process oil were mixed together in one step and fed simultaneously into the hopper for melt extrusion. In Method B, the MWCNT were first mixed with paraffinic process oil before being added to SEBS. The dispersion of MWCNT in SEBS TPE was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The effects of the MWCNT on the electrical resistivity and tensile properties of the SEBS TPE were determined. A balance of tensile properties and electrical properties can be achieved by adding 3 wt% MWCNT into SEBS TPE, especially using Method B. Pre-mixing of MWCNT with paraffinic process oil promotes better dispersibility, higher electrical conductivity, and better tensile properties.

Employing impedance spectroscopy to investigate electrical conduction mechanism in polymer composite blends containing conductive masterbatch: PP/EVA/ (PP-g-MA/MWCNTS)

“…[15][16][17] Blending these commercial polymers can improve the purposive properties for antistatic applications such as mechanical properties, film processing, and barrier ability properties. 18,19 Also, in polymer blend nanocomposites the adjustability of morphology due to the segregated structure that is originated from the formation of disperse-matrix or co-continuous morphologies and the tendency of conductive nanoparticles for localization in favorite phase is desirable in academic and industry for fabrication of conductive polymer nanocomposites with widespread applications. 20,21 In polymer blend nanocomposites, two important parameters that correlate with electrical conductivity and percolation threshold are first, blend morphology, i.e.…”

Thermal, mechanical, electrical properties of poystyrene/poly (styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene/carbon nanotube nanocomposites

“…1,3 The toughness and modulus values of PS20SIBS-CNT nanocomposites were found to be greater than those of PS20SIBS blend (Table 3). This may be ascribed to the presence of CNT 23,24 and decreased dimension of SIBS elastomer domains (Figure 2), 21 respectively as compared to the blend material. A large decrease in toughness value was observed when 10 phr CNT was used (Table 3) which may be due to the transformation of the elastomer phase into a more rigid phase with the use of a high amount of CNT and formation of possible CNT agglomerates.…”