Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.119, No.1, 142-147, 2011
Characterization and Electrical Conductivity of Poly(ethylene glycol)/Polyacrylonitrile/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composites
Polymer blends based on poly(ethylene glycol), polyacrylonitrile, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by the solvent cast technique from the dispersion of the MWNTs in the concentration range 0-3.45 wt %. The interaction of the MWNTs with the polymer blend was confirmed by a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy study. The thermal properties of the polymer blend with the MWNTs were carried out by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was evident from DSC that the polymer/MWNTs had a high thermal stability. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the dispersion of the MWNTs in the polymer blend. To measure the electrical conductivity, the four-point probe method was used. The electrical conductivity showed an ionic conductivity on the order of 4.4 x 10(-4) to 1.2 x 10(-2) S/cm. Relative changes in the conductivity with the concentration and temperatures for the samples were analyzed. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 119: 142-147, 2011