Efficient Solvent-Free Microwave Irradiation Synthesis of Highly Conductive Polypropylene Nanocomposites with Lowly Loaded Carbon Nanotubes

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1-2020

Abstract

It was well established that microwave radiation was utilized initially to enhance the electrical conductivity of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) by introducing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) without using any solvent. High electrical conductivity was obtained in polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites with low CNTs loading levels. Under an inert gas protection, the CNTs were heated through the transformation of electromagnetic energy into mechanical vibrations. The surface of PP was easily molten by the heat generated by CNTs, then a well-formed CNTs network was built under proper microwave treatment period and subsequent hot pressing. CNTs loading levels and processing temperatures played an important role in the crystal structure, crystalline fraction and crystallization temperature of both nest PP and its PP/CNT PNCs. Moreover, the pressing temperature and CNT loading levels had an obvious effect on the electrical conductivity, which were the main factors on network formation. Electron transport with a three-dimensional route was observed from the study of the variable range hopping (VRH) mechanistic. The unique negative magnetoresistance (MR) phenomenon was shown in the PNCs and theoretically discussed by the forward interference model. The calculated optical band-gap of PNCs decreased with increasing the CNT loading. Other properties have been also well tested and analyzed.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Es Materials and Manufacturing

First Page

21

Last Page

33

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