Issue 27, 2014

Advanced dielectric polymer nanocomposites by constructing a ternary continuous structure in polymer blends containing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) modified carbon nanotubes

Abstract

A nanocomposite with ultra-low percolation threshold and high dielectric performance is prepared by controlling the localization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in one phase of a ternary continuous polymer blend system through melt processing. Polystyrene (PS), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) can form a ternary continuous structure when the volume fractions of PS, PVDF and PMMA are 70 vol%, 20 vol%, and 10 vol%, respectively. The PS is a continuous matrix (sea-phase) whereas the other two phases are interconnected threads (the PVDF is situated as the core while the PMMA is the shell, and the thickness of the PMMA shell is about 1 μm). Adding PMMA could improve the compatibility between the PS and PVDF components. Selective distribution of MWNTs in the PMMA shell is achieved through a combination of PMMA modified MWNTs and appropriate processing procedures. The composite shows an ultra-low percolation threshold of ca. 0.3 wt%. When the weight fraction of PMMA modified MWNTs is 0.4 wt%, the dielectric constant of the composite is as high as 182 (at 100 Hz), which is about 60 times higher than that of a pure PS matrix. The composite’s dielectric properties have excellent temperature stability. This approach can provide a new and low-cost route to design high-performance dielectric materials with ultra-low percolation thresholds.

Graphical abstract: Advanced dielectric polymer nanocomposites by constructing a ternary continuous structure in polymer blends containing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) modified carbon nanotubes

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
11 Mar 2014
Accepted
22 Apr 2014
First published
23 Apr 2014

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014,2, 10614-10622

Advanced dielectric polymer nanocomposites by constructing a ternary continuous structure in polymer blends containing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) modified carbon nanotubes

X. Zhao, J. Cao, J. Zhao, G. Hu and Z. Dang, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2014, 2, 10614 DOI: 10.1039/C4TA01214C

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