Abstract
The effect of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) and the selective localization of MWCNT on the electrical properties of sPS/PET/graphite composites was investigated. Incorporating MWCNTs into PET/graphite and sPS/graphite composites resulted in increased electrical conductivities. The conductivity increase was significant in PET/graphite, while it was marginal in sPS/graphite. This difference is attributed to the different affinity of MWCNT with PET and sPS. In PET/graphite composites, MWCNTs were well dispersed in the PET phase, whereas they formed numerous agglomerates in the sPS phase of sPS/graphite composites. Surface-treated MWCNTs exhibited more well-dispersed structures in the PET phase, leading to higher electrical conductivity in the PET/graphite composite compared to non-treated MWCNTs. Upon incorporation into sPS/PET/graphite composites, MWCNTs tended to selectively localize in the PET phase due to their higher affinity with PET than sPS. This selective localization resulted in a more concentrated conductive path and increased electrical conductivity of the composite. Through both surface treatment of MWCNT and selective localization, the electrical conductivity of sPS/PET/graphite composites was significantly enhanced without compromising the mechanical and processability aspects of the composites.
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