Structure and electrochemical properties of polystyrene/CNT nanocomposites

Miftah U. Khan, Mariam T. Darestani, Vincent G. Gomes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The realization of the outstanding properties of CNTs (carbon nanotubes) is constrained by their inherent tendency to agglomerate. Emulsion polymerization was used for synthesizing poly(styrene)/CNT nanocomposites with functionalized CNTs. Chain transfer agents (CTAs) were incorporated to control polymer molar mass and end-use properties. Data from electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at variable frequencies were analyzed to characterize and elucidate the electrical characteristics of poly(styrene) (PS)/CNT nanocomposites. The incorporation of CNT in the polymer matrix even at modest concentrations enhanced the electrical properties of the non-conductive poly(styrene) significantly as revealed by EIS spectra. The use of CTA enabled modulation of polymer molar mass and variation in the electrical properties for PS/CNT relative to composites with no CTA. The electrical behavior of PS/CNT dispersion has been shown to depend both on the CNT concentration and molecular weight of the substrate. The equivalent electrical circuit (EEC) analyses with the corresponding system parameters enabled determination of relative CNT arrangements for different types of PS/ CNT composites. TEM images confirmed the CNT positions within the composites and helped support interpretation of EIS/EEC data.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3145-3156
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Solid State Electrochemistry
Volume19
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • carbon nanotubes
  • chitosan
  • emulsion polymerization

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Structure and electrochemical properties of polystyrene/CNT nanocomposites'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this