Preparation of microcellular polycaprolactone/cellulose nanocrystal/carbon black conductive composites using the Pickering emulsion method combined with supercritical batch foaming technology

Abstract

The “two‐step” strategy composed of Pickering emulsion method and supercritical batch foaming technology is successfully conducted to prepare the microcellular polycaprolactone (PCL)/cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)/carbon black (CB) conductive composites. Benefitting from the segregated CNC/CB networks established in the PCL matrix, the obtained microcellular conductive composites can present improved electrical and mechanical performance, and uniform foam structures. The percolation threshold (φc) is estimated as low as ~0.84 wt%, and the minimum tensile strain and strength belonging to the foamed composite with 10 wt% of CB content still maintain 15% and 3.95 MPa, respectively. This study hopes to provide an attempt to prepare microcellular conductive composites with great comprehensive performance.